Greece, after having submitted a relevant proposal, has been set as head of the initiative for European islands in the First Action Plan for implementing the Spatial Agenda, adopted at the Ministerial meeting in the Azores of Portugal, in November 2007.

This specific action, aims to explore the framework of policies that facilitate the development of the islands, focusing on diversity, thus reflecting in a practical way the common European vision of spatial dimension.

The coordination of implementation of specific actions has been undertaken by the Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, in cooperation with the Council Presidency of the European Union. Several interested State Member Entities as well as Regions (nine countries and eleven bodies), the Conference of the Coastal Regions of Europe (CPMR), the Network of Insular Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Union (INSULEUR), the European Small Islands Network (ESIF), and representatives of Greek organizations (YpENANP, Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Regions of Southern Aegean and Crete, HSY, KEDKE, EDMN), participate in the implementation of the actions. A wider network of representatives from the island regions and bodies from all over Greece and the EU, support the whole effort.

Presentation of the Greek initiative for the European Islands and the related research that has been integrated in the European ESPON 2013 Programme under the title "Development of Islands - European Islands and Cohesion Policy", held at the 8th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Small Islands (ESIF ) Kasnäs - Finland on 9-11 September 2008. (PDF | 133KB)