THE Isle of Man has been represented at a conference of European Islands held in Ponta Delgada in the Azores.
Chief Minister Tony Brown took part in a series of presentations, discussions and debates on a wide range of issues affecting islands, including renewable energy, transport, communications and tourism.
The conference, held last week, was organised by the Islands Commission – a sub-grouping of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) – which comprises 24 islands or island groups throughout Europe and further afield.
The majority of the CPMR’s members are EU regions, but non-EU regions are also able to join. The Isle of Man has been a Member of the Islands Commission since 1981, and the annual meeting has been held in Douglas twice, most recently in 2007.
“It is really useful to meet with politicians and officials from other islands, share our common experiences and learn from each other, and understand the different ways of dealing with the challenges that affect our regions,” said Mr Brown.
“The Islands Commission is an organisation which brings us all together, and so it’s a good way for me to meet up with my opposite number from other islands”.
Also attending the conference were political leaders and senior officials representing the Azores & Madeira (Portugal), Gotland (Sweden), Bornholm (Denmark) Hiiumaa & Saaremaa (Estonia), Corsica (France), Sicily (Italy), Shetland & Orkney & the Western Isles (UK) Balearic & Canary Islands (Spain). In addition several organisations including the European Commission, European Parliament, EUROSTAT and various agencies were represented.
The Chief Minister added, “We have a lot in common, but there is a whole array of islands with different geographical, political, constitutional and economic characteristics. Some are wholly independent, some are autonomous or self-governing – much like our own island – whereas others are merely island regions of larger states.
“Some are focused on agriculture or fisheries, and others on tourism or other sectors. However, whilst it is natural for islands to focus on one particular activity – usually because they have so few choices – what I tried to get across was the Isle of Man’s continued drive for diversity, to ensure economic our stability. This was a message that was well received.’”
