Portugal, Spain, and France have argued that the European Union's (EU) next long-term budget must ensure "adequate funding" for outermost regions, such as Madeira and the Azores. This stance was communicated in a joint letter addressed to the European Commission and the Council presidency.
The leaders of the three countries emphasized the strategic importance of these regions, which extend European presence into different oceans, urging for specific allocations and the maintenance of current support levels. The letter comes at a critical juncture in the budget negotiations for 2028-2034.
These outermost regions, also including Spain's Canary Islands and six French territories, represent approximately five million European citizens and are viewed by the EU as "geopolitical assets."
