4. Calls for the inclusion of a specific European integrated and flexible policy framework, with legal and financial implications, for dealing with the mountain regions, islands and sparsely populated areas based on their shared features but taking into account the diverse situations and following the principle of proportionality; is of the opinion that that Cohesion Policy should address the situation of the mountain regions, islands and sparsely populated areas not just through Regional Policy, but also using other EU policies that have a significant territorial impact on the development of these regions; believes that an European po ...[+++]licy framework for mountain regions, islands and sparsely populated areas may have the needed added value to overcome the permanent handicaps of these regions and adapt their development model utilising their assets;

However, the mountain regions are sparsely populated – inhabited by only 5% of the Community’s population – which means that political pressure from that quarter is relatively ineffectual.

However, with approximately 171 million citizens, no less than 45% of the total EU population live within its boundaries - making the average population density almost twice as high as the EU average.

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia Leader+ programme, which covers 56% of the Region's rural areas, with an average population density of 41 inhabitants/km as against a regional average of 151 inhabitants/km , and 15% of its total population seeks to promote new development strategies and to develop the Initiative's innovative and pilot features in line with the function and role of rural areas.

3. Believes that, with respect to the eligibility criteria for rural areas for Objective 2, certain aspects of the general regulation cannot be considered reasonable; suggests that the population density threshold should be 20 inhabitants per square kilometre; or that the proportion of agricultural employment vis-à-vis total employment should be aligned exactly on the Community average; or that the criteria of density and reduction of population should be ...[+++] combined; or that a new criterion should be introduced relating to low agricultural incomes.; considers such refinements to be essential from the viewpoint of diversification of energy supplies, as a vital factor in development;

* The total population of the area is 8.4 million inhabitants, with a population density of 73 inh/km2.