EPP regional representatives welcome EU Maritime Green Paper

During a meeting held last week in Madeira, the EPP (European People's Party) Group in the Committee of the Regions welcomed the holistic approach proposed by the European Commission to promote a European Maritime Policy.

In a final declaration, the group said that a European policy is needed in particular due to increasing globalisation, which is generating more trade and economic interactions among regions of the world.

"New opportunities for growth and jobs in European islands, outermost and coastal regions are possible only if we replace the fragmented existing approach in this field, representing more than 40 per cent of Europe's GDP, with a new integrated policy which combine competitiveness, sustainability, and subsidiary."

The EPP Group in the CoR, which was also addressed by European Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg, gave its support to the Commission's proposals because they target the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy's goals in our coastal regions, stressing in parallel the urgent need for energy efficiency and protection of maritime environment.

The Group said that through a European Maritime Policy, regional and local authorities will have a new tool for ensuring the well-being of people, the sustainable use of the maritime resources, the development of good governance, and increased awareness of maritime heritage.

"We stress that regions and local authorities are the ideal partners for both the European Commission and the Member States in achieving an efficient European Maritime Policy,' the final declaration said.

CoR members Dr Ian Micallef, Noel Formosa and Doris Borg, represented Malta at the meeting.