Brussels, 17/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - In conclusions adopted on Monday 16 November, the EU Council of Ministers welcomes the great interest that member states have shown in integrated maritime governance. Implementation of this policy should continue, “with due respect to subsidiarity and proportionality”.
The Council set out a raft of demands. The Commission was invited to: - to report on the outcomes of the discussion on the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Roadmap and to come forward with initiatives to encourage the development and use of MSP based on an ecosystem approach in early 2010; - make proposals regarding governance of marine and maritime research, with a view to improving the use of scientific knowledge by policy-makers and ensuring a coordinated and sustained development of marine research infrastructure at EU level; - present the necessary proposals for the financing of integrated maritime policy actions within the existing Financial Perspective, with a view to entry into force by 2011.
The Council felt in necessary to encourage energy production at sea, particularly renewable energy (wind power at sea, wave power, tidal power, use of marine currents and thermo-gradient sources). It took the view that the European strategy on marine and maritime research should support the adoption of measures along with the Marine Strategy framework directive and work on MSP. The Council: - welcomes the idea of establishing an integrated approach to maritime surveillance through a common information sharing environment; - calls for dialogue and cooperation to continue in order to improve governance of the marine space and coastal areas in the Mediterranean area (there also has to be dialogue with Mediterranean neighbours); - calls for further development of the strategic approaches to regional sea basins; - makes recommendations for the next step towards an EU policy on Arctic issues. (L.C./transl.rt)