From 25 May, Sandro Gozi, a French MEP for Renew Europe, visited Martinique as part of a European Parliament mission focusing on the role of the Overseas Territories in the future of the European Union. Discussions with Yan Monplaisir, mayor of Saint-Joseph, focused on the high cost of living, territorial continuity, economic development, the green transition, institutional cooperation and sovereignty.
In his interview on ATV’s news programme, Gozi also reiterated the need for pragmatic and targeted solutions for Martinique. “There is no magic wand to address Martinique’s challenges. We need to tackle the issue of territorial continuity more forcefully and rethink certain tools, such as the dock dues, in order to better support the local economy and purchasing power. But one thing is clear: we must defend European funds earmarked for regions such as Martinique,” he stated.
This position is fully in line with that of the European Democratic Party: to use European tools to protect citizens, boost growth and adapt EU policies to the specific realities of the outermost regions.
The mission also had a strong economic and strategic dimension. As Secretary-General of the European Democratic Party, Gozi met with the President of the Martinique Chamber of Commerce and Industry and took part in a discussion with entrepreneurs from Contact-Entreprises at the Lumina Tower, focusing on enlargement, institutional reforms, the next multiannual financial framework and the adaptation of European standards to the economic, geographical and social realities of the territory.
The visit also featured a dinner-debate organised with European Democratic Party activists based in the region. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the main challenges facing Martinique, particularly in terms of economic development, social cohesion, the green transition and regional integration, as well as the ways in which the European Union can provide concrete solutions and enhanced support to the region.
The visit concluded with a discussion with pupils at the Couvent Saint-Joseph de Cluny, where Gozi chose to speak of Europe as a place of belonging, rights and opportunities. “I feel at home in Martinique as a European, and young people from Martinique feel at home throughout the European Union,” he said, linking this message to the mission of the European Democratic Party.
For the PDE, Martinique is not a periphery, but a strategic frontier of Europe at the heart of the Caribbean: investing in its future means strengthening the entire Union, supporting young people and building a Europe that is more inclusive, more tangible and closer to all citizens. Controlling migration flows, combating trafficking and protecting citizens are essential conditions for a democratic, responsible and effective Europe.
