Brussels, 01/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 26 June, the European Commission adopted a communication to move towards best practice in integrated maritime governance within the EU. This document follows on from the Commission's Blue Paper on the EU integrated maritime policy, presented in October 2007.
The Commission guidelines on maritime governance call on member states to develop their own integrated maritime policies. These national integrated maritime policies “will differ from each other, depending on their different constitutional, geophysical, economic, social, cultural and environmental contexts, but should take into account the European vision for the oceans and seas endorsed by the European Council in December 2007”. National integrated maritime policies should be based on the recognition that all matters relating to the sea are interlinked and should be dealt with as a whole. Furthermore, member states are asked to consider creating internal coordinating structures for maritime affairs within their government frameworks. The Commission states that some member states have established an inter-ministerial committee as their lead structure for coordinating maritime affairs.
Role of regional and local decision-makers. In view of their close relations with the sea, several coastal regions are developing their own integrated strategies, tailored to their own specific needs. Within member states, they are often responsible for Integrated Coastal Zone management or for regulating the spatial deployment of economic activities. Since they often have unique know-how and insights and represent key interests in maritime issues, they have a role to play in the development of integrated policy-making, in accordance with the specific responsibilities that regions have for maritime affairs in each member state.
During the consultation period, it became evident that many aspects of an integrated maritime policy can best be addressed at regional sea basin level (such as the Baltic Sea, or the Mediterranean). Similarly, the coming into effect of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive makes it necessary for member states and the Commission to cooperate more at this level and to make best use, where appropriate, of the added value provided by the multilateral regional seas conventions. The Commission will report on progress towards an integrated approach to maritime affairs by the end of 2009. (L.C./transl.rt)