Brussels, 08/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 March, the European Parliament is to call on the European Commission to put together a European strategy for the Atlantic region “as soon as possible”, to cover both maritime and on-land aspects. Five member states border on the Atlantic - France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. The Atlantic region also has its own characteristics (a dynamic maritime area, an area where the environment is fragile, and a peripheral zone).
Maria Damanaki, European Fisheries Commissioner, pointed out during the debate during the evening of Monday 7 March in Strasbourg that the Commission planned to adopt such a strategy after discussion on reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP). This is in the aim of including the regional dimension of the new CFP in the strategy for the Atlantic. Debate on CFP reform will begin around June and should last one year. The EP's position will also be taken into account, the commissioner promised.
According to Damanaki, the aims of the strategy for the Atlantic region will be to: - promote sustainable growth and job creation in the region through research programmes and regional development programmes; - achieve the objectives of CFP reform; - and make progress in the protection of the environment while developing the marine economy in a sustainable manner.
According to MEPs, the strategy aims to take into account the specific characteristics of the Atlantic territories through a European action plan. “Atlantic regions are maritime regions, therefore the maritime aspect should be a priority. But the territorial aspect is also very important. That's why it is necessary to encourage the territorial development of these regions and to strengthen their connection with other EU regions”, asserted Alain Cadec (EPP, France), who came up with the oral question on this theme raised at the Commission on Monday. The draft EP resolution sets out priority areas for the strategy and in particular: the integration of transport networks, marine energies, protection of the environment, innovation, and fisheries competitiveness and sustainability. “This strategy will have to strengthen the North-South connection of Atlantic coasts, in particular with the 'motorways of the sea' from Andalusia to Scotland. It should also develop East-West transport infrastructures, like high speed train lines”, Cadec went on to add. (L.C./transl.jl)