I Amsterdam-traktaten anerkendes disse regioners særlige karakteristika, og de defineres i øvrigt både ved deres specifikke handicap og vanskeligheder, der er forbundet med afsides beliggenhed, økarakter og ofte landskabets art og fjendtlige klimaer, ja, endog ofte med økonomisk afhængighed.
The Treaty acknowledged the specific nature of these regions, and also defined them according to both their handicaps and the difficulties they face, which are due to their remoteness, their insularity, often because of their difficult topography and climate, and even occasionally their economic dependence.