Brussels, 17/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament (EP) gave the go ahead on Thursday 17 November to allocation of a €40 million budget to put integrated maritime policy pilot programmes and projects into effect during the period 1 January 2011 - 31 December 2013. The compromise amendment passed in plenary session follows on from a first reading agreement with the Council reducing the sum initially proposed by the European Commission by €10 million.
The EP adopted, by 541 votes to 33, with 14 abstentions, the report by Georgios Koumoutsakos (EPP, Greece) establishing a programme to support the further development of an integrated maritime policy. It amended the initial proposal somewhat providing for funding to be shared among the general objectives: - integrated governance of maritime and coastal affairs (at least 4%); - cross-sectoral instruments (at least 60%); - protection of the marine environment and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources (at least 8%); - maritime basin strategies (at least 8%); - the international dimension (1% at most); - growth, jobs, innovation and new technologies (at least 4%).
The EP called for the integrated maritime policy to be included in the post-2013 multiannual financial framework. “In addition, a proposal should be drawn up to provide for its extension beyond 2013, together with a proposal laying down an appropriate financial envelope”, the regulation passed states. (LC/transl.rt)