The Committee on Development adopted the report by Maurice PONGA (EPP, FR) approving, unamended, the proposal for a Council decision amending Council Decision 2001/822/EC on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community.
Once the decision is adopted, Saint-Barthélemy would become the 26th country and territory associated with the European Union. This change in status will enable Saint-Barthélemy to consolidate its relations with regional players, including the other overseas countries and territories, ACP countries and outermost regions of the Caribbean, and will thus help to disseminate the European model and European values.