Brussels, 10/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 March, the European Parliament asked the European Commission to set in place an integrated European strategy for the Atlantic region as soon as possible to cover both maritime and land-related issues. In a resolution on this theme (adopted by 589 votes to 26 and 54 abstentions), the EP invites the European Commission to develop an action plan that takes account of both maritime policy and territorial cohesion. The EP above all considers that such a strategy should be an integral part of the cohesion policy objective on territorial cooperation (Objective 3). MEPs underline that developing this strategy should work following a “bottom-up approach, starting from local authorities and involving all stakeholders”. It should aim, they say, at “better spending of EU money, not increasing expenditure”.
MEPs want the strategy to address the following issues of common interest: marine energy, environment and climate change including the prevention and fighting of marine pollution by ships, transport and accessibility, safety, security and surveillance, research, innovation, creative industries, culture, leisure and tourism, marine services and training, and fisheries and the seafood sector.
The Parliament would like the strategy to be open to all EU regions along the Atlantic coast, including Macaronesian outermost regions. The EP also considers that this strategy will need the development of cabotage (short sea shipping) and the highways of the sea. It recalls that the maritime dimension is a priority of this strategy, particularly through a maritime basins approach.
The Commission is invited to promote and support the planning and setting up of maritime roads in the Atlantic region, such as the Gijon-Nantes maritime road, as an “innovative way to improve and diversify the trans-European transport networks, to influence international trade relations, to stimulate the harbours' economic activity and strengthen tourism, and to contribute to the reduction in CO2 emissions”.
Furthermore, the EP highlights the necessity of associating regional and local public authorities, member states, the European Union, private stakeholders and civil society organisations (including interregional networks and organisations concerned) in the design and the implementation of this strategy.
The Parliament is of the opinion that the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) could be an interesting tool to facilitate cooperation within the framework of an EU strategy for the Atlantic region.
The EP considers that the strategy should be implemented from 2014 onwards and be coordinated with the next multiannual financial framework, and that it should go together with an action plan defined at European level, including a list of structuring projects.
MEPs are of the opinion that the “internal and external dimensions of this strategy will have to implement an Atlantic allocation of existing Community funds, based on shared priorities”. (L.C./transl.jl)