Elena Kountoura, a Greek MEP from The Left group, has asked the European Commission whether it intends to recognise addressing water scarcity on islands as a strategic priority and to incorporate a specific pillar on water security and resilience in the forthcoming European strategy for islands. In a written parliamentary question submitted on 9 June 2026, Kountoura also inquired whether the Commission plans to support the creation of a new specific financial instrument in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for investments in sustainable water management on islands.
The question highlights that island regions are particularly exposed to water scarcity due to limited natural water resources, the impacts of the climate crisis, intensifying droughts, outdated water supply networks, and seasonal population increases from tourism. Kountoura notes that many popular tourist islands rely on costly and energy-intensive solutions such as water imports and conventional desalination plants.
Kountoura's question references the European Parliament's position on water resilience, which calls for special treatment of islands because of their vulnerability and for removing barriers to financial support for local and regional water management investments. She also points to the need for integrated rainwater collection and storage systems, modern desalination plants powered by renewable energy, smart water management networks with real-time leakage detection, wastewater reuse for irrigation, and smart demand management systems. Additionally, she calls for enhanced participation of island authorities in infrastructure planning decisions.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. The answer will signal whether the EU executive is willing to elevate island water security to a strategic priority and to allocate dedicated funding in the next MFF, which would have significant implications for island communities, tourism-dependent economies, and water infrastructure providers.