EU chief hails new maritime Green Paper

The Green Paper on the future of the EU's maritime policy, unveiled yesterday by Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg, was hailed by Commission President Josè Manuel Barroso as an opportunity to boost jobs while protecting the marine environment.

Mr Barroso, who accompanied Dr Borg during the launching press conference at the EU headquarters, in Brussels, said the ball has finally been set rolling so that Europe will eventually have an integrated maritime policy.

"Europe has long benefited from its maritime activities. However, much more could be made of our seas and oceans to increase the prosperity and well being of European citizens.

Today's Green Paper gives us all the opportunity to put our heads together to see how best to do it. I encourage everybody to have their say on how they see a future maritime policy for the Union which would boost jobs while protecting the marine environment," he said.

The Green Paper, entitled Towards A Future Maritime Policy For The Union: A European Vision For The Oceans And Seas, deals with various sectors of the EU maritime economy, from transport and shipping to trade and tourism. It seeks to highlight the interconnections and interdependence of these different domains and the linkages that are often ignored by existing procedures.

Dr Borg said the Green Paper clearly shows the need for coordination and planning in the vast maritime sector if Europe wants to avoid conflict and optimise its returns from the sea.

"An all-embracing approach would allow us to combine economic growth with effective protection of the marine environment and greater stakeholder participation. This is a project where member states, regions, industry, NGOs and the public all have an interest in finding the best way ahead in our future relation with the sea," he said.

Following the publication of the Green Paper a year-long consultation period will ensue, ending with the publication of a communication by the Commission on the next steps forward.

The Green Paper was also welcomed by Nationalist MEPs Simon Busuttil and David Casa.

"There is hardly one activity which does not depend directly or indirectly on the sea in Malta. It will be important that all actors, including us MEPs, contribute actively in shaping this policy in a way that will bring most benefits for our country," Mr Casa said.

Dr Busuttil said: "The Commission's document is an ideal starting point. It approaches maritime issues in a holistic way which the EU has until now failed to do. In the process of hammering out this policy it will now be important for everyone to work to keep things simple and functional. We must avoid unnecessary legislation and red tape that will alienate Europe's citizens and enterprises from this otherwise excellent project".