At a conference organised by the European Commission and the Romanian Presidency of the Council in Bucharest on Tuesday, 21 May, ministers for maritime affairs from Black Sea countries (Bulgaria, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine) adopted a ‘Common Maritime Agenda’ for the Black Sea.
The agenda, which was negotiated with the support of the Commission, focuses on fields related to the blue economy that can contribute to the sustainable economic development of the region and coastal regions: maritime affairs, fisheries and aquaculture, research and innovation, connectivity, environmental protection, tourism, education, and the development of skills required for a maritime economy.
European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella stated that the Black Sea region “has taken a step towards a new type of sea basin strategy – one based on workable cross-border projects”. The Commission specifies that the Black Sea countries will pursue three goals: healthy marine and coastal ecosystems; a competitive, innovative, and sustainable blue economy; and fostering investment in the blue economy. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)