In early January, in Guadeloupe, the European Democratic Party reaffirmed its commitment to a Europe that is closer to its overseas territories. The visit by Sandro Gozi, Secretary-General of the EDP and MEP for Renew Europe, included institutional meetings and public discussions on the role of the European Union in the economic, social and strategic development of the region.
In discussions with local authorities and elected representatives, there was a strong consensus on the need for more targeted European policies that take into account the specific characteristics of Guadeloupe in the new global geopolitical context. For the EDP, the overseas territories are not on the periphery of the Union, but a strategic resource for European cohesion, regional cooperation and Europe’s presence in the world.
The visit also included exchanges with political and civil society representatives on the Bridge for EU initiative, which aims to overcome the legal and administrative obstacles to cross-border cooperation, a key issue for overseas territories. In this context, discussions were held with Betty Besry, president of MoDem Guadeloupe, and other local elected representatives, focusing on the need to make European policies more accessible and useful to citizens.
In a local television interview, Mr Gozi reiterated that “for overseas regions, the European Union must change its approach”, adapting rules and instruments to their specific realities. This is a policy line that the European Democratic Party intends to continue to pursue in the European institutions and within the Renew Europe family, in order to build a more pragmatic, inclusive and territory-focused Union.
