Coesione territoriale e principio di insularità nell'ordinamento dell'Unione europea

The present paper aims to examine the relationship between the EU policy of economic, social and territorial cohesion and the principle of insularity before and after Lisbon Treaty. In this context the public service obligations (PSO) meet the need to find a balance between a general liberalization and a policy that tends to ensure compatibility with the European treaties of the aids which are granted to ensure the conduct of services general economic interest. Starting from a critical analysis of the Altmark case law, this paper highlights that even today the principles – although not always consistently applied – provided by the Treaties in this matter, are not fully sufficient in order to ensure at the insular regions the territorial continuity they deserve.