Committee of Regions discusses new EU Maritime Policy with Joe Borg

A core group of members representing the European People's Party (EPP) at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) discussed various important issues related to the new maritime policy green paper during meeting held in Brussels with Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg.

The CoR delegation, which also included the president of Malta's Local Councils Association, Dr Ian Micallef, was composed of Mr Synak, president of the regional assembly of Pomorskie in Poland and vice-president of the EPP in the CoR, Mr Leterme, president of the Region of Flanders in Belgium and Mr Harlinghausen, who is responsible for European affairs for the German city-state of Hamburg.

Discussions during the meeting focused on the potential that an integrated maritime policy can have in the EU coastal regions, in terms of both growth and jobs, particularly if it is coupled with decentralised governance methods.

Dr Micallef said that over 40 per cent of the EU's GDP is generated in maritime regions, and almost 90 per cent of the EU's external trade is carried by sea.

"This is an extremely valuable resource, and Europe must maximise the benefits drawn from this sector in order to achieve the Lisbon goals in Europe's coastline regions and cities, thus improving citizens' quality of life" he stated.

Both the Commissioner and EPP CoR members stressed the importance of multi-dimensional governance in maritime policy. Close interregional co-operation is needed together with co-operation between all levels of government and the EU.

The positive and multifaceted contribution of local and regional authorities to managing maritime resources, and the role of the CoR in shaping the EU's maritime policy during the one-year consultation period was recognised by Commissioner Borg, who asked for the CoR and its political groups to be actively involved in the debates that will held in defining this new EU policy.