Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, on behalf of the European Commission, has outlined the EU's approach to supporting island territories, emphasising a biennial Islands Forum rather than a permanent coordination platform, while pledging continued technical assistance to strengthen administrative capacity. The answer, given on 17 July 2026, responds to a parliamentary question from Elena Kountoura (The Left, Greece), who had called for an institutionalised multi-level governance framework and dedicated one-stop-shops for islands.
Fitto confirmed that the Commission's first strategy for EU islands, adopted on 10 June 2026, recognises the distinct challenges of these territories. Instead of a permanent European Coordination Platform, the strategy foresees a biennial Islands Forum to promote dialogue, exchange best practices, and monitor progress. On administrative capacity, the strategy continues support through existing instruments: the Technical Support Instrument, TAIEX-REGIO Peer2Peer, the European Urban Initiative, and the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative. The Commission will also assist Member States in tailoring reforms and investments for islands via future National and Regional Partnership Plans.
The answer provides concrete mechanisms but stops short of creating new permanent structures or one-stop-shops, instead relying on existing programmes. This leaves island authorities reliant on biennial dialogue and existing technical support, which may not fully address the administrative burden and access to funding that Kountoura highlighted. The policy orientation favours flexibility and use of existing tools over new institutional frameworks. Institutional follow-up will depend on the effectiveness of the Islands Forum and the uptake of technical assistance by Member States and island bodies.