overseas countries and territories of the European Union

overseas countries and territories of the European Union are a group of territories associated with member states that are not part of the European Union proper. These territories, while maintaining constitutional links to Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, have a special status defined by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Their relationship with the European Commission and the Council of the European Union is governed by a specific association framework, distinct from the outermost regions which are integral parts of the EU.

Definition and status

The legal definition is anchored in Part Four of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, specifically Articles 198 to 204. This status applies to territories whose external relations are the responsibility of a member state but which are not included in the European Union's single market or customs union. The European Court of Justice has ruled on the application of European Union law in these territories, clarifying that European Union law applies only as specifically provided. Key instruments like the Overseas Association Decision outline the detailed terms of association, including areas like trade policy and development aid.

List of overseas countries and territories

The current list includes territories linked to four member states. Associated with France are French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The Netherlands associates Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba). Denmark's association is with Greenland, following its withdrawal from the European Economic Community in 1985. The United Kingdom's territories, such as the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar, were associated prior to Brexit; their post-Brexit status is governed by the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Relationship with the European Union

The relationship is primarily one of association, not membership. These territories are eligible for funding from the European Development Fund and participate in specific EU programmes like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. Trade is governed by special provisions, often allowing duty-free access to the European Union for most goods, though they are not part of the Common Commercial Policy. The European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships manages the relationship, while the European Parliament's Committee on Development monitors the implementation of the association agreement.

Historical development

The framework originated with the founding Treaty of Rome in 1957, which included associated territories of the original six European Economic Community members. The Yaoundé Convention of 1963 with former French colonies in Africa established a precedent for development cooperation. The accession of Denmark in 1973 brought Greenland into the community, though it later left following a referendum. The Lomé Convention and subsequent Cotonou Agreement expanded the partnership model to include ACP countries, influencing the OCTs' modern legal structure defined in the Treaty of Lisbon.

Economic and political aspects

Economies are often dependent on sectors like tourism, fisheries, and public sector employment, with significant financial support from the European Development Fund. Key political issues include debates over self-determination, as seen in New Caledonia's independence referendums, and environmental challenges like those faced by French Polynesia and the Pitcairn Islands. Governance involves local executives like the Government of Greenland and legislatures such as the former Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles, with the associated member state retaining competence for defence and most foreign policy.

Category:European Union and dependent territories