Conclusions
The European Commission, the Heads of Government and elected representatives from the Overseas Countries and Territories and representatives of Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom ( hereinafter "the partners") met on the occasion of the 14th OCT-EU Forum which took place on the 26th of February, 2016 in Brussels.
The Forum was organised under the aegis of the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr Neven Mimica.
Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the EU Outermost regions and the ACP Secretariat were associated to the Forum.
The partners welcomed the presentation of the OCTA Political Declaration by the Chairman of OCTA and noted its adoption by the Ministerial Conference on the 25th February, 2016.
The following conclusions were adopted:
1. The partners reiterate the importance of the special relationship between the Union and the OCTs which is based on mutual objectives, principles and values. The partners recognise the need to continue with a differentiated and preferential treatment in the management of OCTs’ dossiers.
2. The partners agree on the need to effectively implement the Overseas Association Decision (OAD) and welcome the establishment of a Unit dedicated to relations with OCTs attached to the Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission.
3. The partners agree to explore the reinforcement of the dialogue instances of the OAD, including by engaging relevant Commission services.
4. The partners welcome the signing at the Forum of the Joint Declaration of the European Union and the Overseas Countries and Territories Greenland, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Wallis and Futuna Islands, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda on reinforced cooperation in the field of sustainable energy.
5. The partners acknowledge that the Joint Declaration addresses the specific EU-OCT context and sends a strong political signal. The partners welcome the aim of strengthening the links and coordination between energy policy commitments of OCTs - as reflected in the Roadmap agreed at OCT Energy Ministers summit held in Brussels in June 2015 - and the support that could be provided by the Union in the context of the OAD including the resources already available under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).
6. The partners take note of the progress achieved in programming the resources available under the 11th EDF, which aim to support OCT policies for sustainable development, and commit to the timely and efficient conclusion of the programming process.
7. The partners welcome the submission of EU response strategies by several OCTs; all partners endeavour to accelerate the territorial programming process with the aim of adopting programming documents by the end of 2016 on the basis of the proposed sectors of concentration.
8. The partners also commit to the swift and effective programming of the regional allocation, inter alia through enhanced coordination. Joint projects will be considered with non-OCT partners where appropriate, in particular ACP countries and Outermost Regions.
9. OCTA will present its post-2015 strategy in March 2016 in order to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of support measures in the context of the 11th EDF. The proposal will include future financing modalities, including from its members or other sources.
10. Specific measures will be considered in view of addressing the financing gap regarding the technical assistance provided to OCTA for the second semester of 2016.
11. The partners welcome the global agreement on climate change concluded in Paris at COP21, and the active role played by the OCTs during the conference. They underline the importance of climate change mitigation and adaptation for OCTs. In this respect, the partners welcome proposals that include actions addressing climate change in territorial, regional and thematic programmes. The partners will examine the possible inclusion of OCTs in relevant actions.
12. The partners discussed the opportunities for growth, trade and investment provided by the OAD, and assessed the challenges faced by OCTs. The partners acknowledge that the OAD provides the conditions for policy dialogue and financial cooperation in this domain, including through the Partnership Working Party on Trade and regional integration; they equally recognise the importance of conducive regulatory and framework conditions in promoting growth and investment, and the need to review these. The partners committed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the 2014-2020 financial framework and the resources applicable to the OCTs by the European Union for this purpose.
13. The Commission will continue promoting and encouraging the participation of OCTs in the Union programmes, including horizontal budget lines, recognising that OCTs are part of the European family and face challenges due to size, remoteness and isolation of some of them.
14. The partners note that open public consultations will be launched for the Performance Assessment of the EDF and for the Mid-Term Evaluation of the Greenland Decision. OCTs will make a collective contribution.
15. The partners thank Curaçao for the excellent work as OCTA Chair and welcome Aruba as the incoming OCTA Chair.
16. The 15th OCT-EU Forum will take place in Aruba. A decision on the date will be taken in a timely manner. This edition of the Forum will include inter alia the launch of a dialogue on the post-2020 process. The partners will make use of the instances of the Association, namely the tripartite meetings and the Partnership Working Parties, in order to prepare discussions, including the organisation of the Forum.
17. The progress achieved in implementing these conclusions, as well as in programming and implementation of the 11th EDF resources, will be monitored in the dialogue instances of the OAD and addressed at the next Forum.
