The President of the Government of the Canary Islands and President of the Outermost Regions Presidents Conference (CPRUP), Ángel Víctor TORRES, and the European Commission Director in charge of the outermost regions (OR), Monika HENCSEY, have held a “Citizen’s dialogue” on 6 March in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, to present the Commission’s view on the implementation of the EU Strategy for the ORs.

The event was attended by representatives and members of the Canary Islands’ institutions such as the Regional Parliament, island governments, town councils, universities, chambers of commerce, employer confederations, trade union confederations, third sector organizations and experts on various fields such as new technologies, innovation, transport, energy and emergencies, among others.

The meeting was divided into different thematic sections, focusing on the EU’s response to ORs concerning sustainable transition (digitalisation, environment, tourism, green economy and blue economy), social rights (care policies, education, employment, training and migration), and strategic sovereignty (food, industry and energy).

This session has provided a space for debate and mutual understanding to identify the challenges faced by EU outermost regions in achieving their full economic and social development, as well as the potential they offer the European Union as a whole.

At the same time, it has been a great chance for the citizens of the Canary Islands to take part and express their opinions therein. This has also allowed them to reflect on the special integration regime of the Canary Islands in the EU and on their main concerns and expectations.