"Islands are distinct territories which require tailor-made solutions that take into account their geographic specificities", said ECR member Gaetano Galvagno during a CoR plenary debate on the connectivity of EU islands. 

EU islands have been confronted with several challenges and pressure has been mounting even further when they were asked to meet sustainability requirements, especially concerning means of transport. "There is a lot of pressure when it comes to sustainable connectivity and the challenges faced by these territories, due to their dependence on maritime and air transport, which needs to be taken seriously into account by EU legislators". 

Political decisions cannot ignore human needs and activities. A balance between environmental conservation and economic viability is vital to ensure that these territories are not left behind. Mr Galvagno, who is the President of the Regional Assembly in Sicily, speaks with reference to his own fellow citizens who are often confronted with a serious lack of infrastructure and resources to be better connected to the mainland. "EU islands should be better connected to the mainland. To achieve that, we need to improve transport in island regions and to remove any bottlenecks to the transfer of people and goods", he underlined.

As Europe works towards a transition to cleaner energy solutions, in particular in the transport sector, we must ensure that this transition is fair and inclusive. "A just transition means supporting businesses, workers, and communities, preventing economic displacement, and providing easier connectivity for those living in less accessible territories", Mr Galvagno concluded.