21/04/2017 (Agence Europe) – In a press release published on Friday 21 April, the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) welcomed the Valetta Declaration supporting “Blue” growth adopted on Thursday during an informal meeting in Malta (see EUROPE 11771). CPMR President, Vasco Cordeiro, praised the fact that, “This declaration is a clear signal that the EU and the Maltese Presidency share our ambitions for economic growth in the maritime sector, driven by innovative research and commercial activities”. The CPMR believes that this declaration provides a “solid basis” to develop the European Union’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) and reflects the challenges that peripheral and outermost coastal and island regions have to confront. The organisation is now calling on the European Council to take this declaration into account to support employment, growth and investment within the Union. (PH)