Brussels, 22/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - MEPs on the regional development committee (REGI) are calling on the Commission to extend macro-regional strategies to the Mediterranean basin. The committee approved the report by François Alfonsi (Greens/EFA, France) on Thursday 21 June. Given the success of the Baltic and Danube macro-regions, Alfonsi suggests that an action plan should also be prepared for the Mediterranean to enhance cooperation among the islands and regions around the edge of the basin. Territorial and economic cohesion would allow issues related to maritime safety, migratory flows, pollution, fisheries and drought to be resolved in common. To begin with, Alfonsi identifies three major zones which could strengthen their links: the Western Mediterranean, the Adriatic and Ionian Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean. These will be added to in the long-term. The plenary session vote is scheduled for 3 July. The ball with then be in the Commission's court to drive things forward. (MD/transl.rt)