Brussels,19/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU27 environment ministers want a new impetus to be given to the EU's integrated maritime policy (IMP) so that it can help achieve the EUROPE 2020 targets by making the most of the opportunities provided by the EU's coastal and maritime economy. It would use state-of-the-art know-how and innovation to create better jobs, explained the Environment Council in a unanimous conclusions document on the IMP published without debate after its meeting on Monday 19 December.
The Environment Council welcomes the future Cypriot Presidency's plan to include the IMP in its list of priorities and to organise a ministerial conference to breathe new life into the strategy.
The ministers encourage the European Commission to put “blue growth” into practice to encourage economic growth and lasting jobs through marine resources, science and traditional and emerging maritime businesses. Ahead of the United Nations conference on sustainable development known as Rio+20 in June 2012, the ministers said the EU must make an important contribution to integrated governance of the world's oceans, seas and coastlines.
In the light of the rapid expansion of maritime industries and therefore burgeoning need for skilled staff, the Council of Ministers encourages the European Commission and member states to examine ways of improving education, boosting employment and career options to ensure the EU does not lose skills over the long-term. The Commission is asked to continue to develop joined-up strategies for maritime basins that have clear demand and potential value-added without ignoring the specific nature of each maritime and submarine basin. (AN/transl.fl)