Rome, 20/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - European Regions support Maritime Policy every single day” is the title of the manifesto issued by the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) today in Rome to mark European Maritime Day 2009. Between 2004 and 2009, Europe has worked towards shaping its own maritime policy and the Regions have played a major role in this stage. Xavier Gizard, Secretary General of the CPMR, stated that, “our continent is given the means to collectively further develop its maritime assets” adding, “Today, 20th May 2009 - European Maritime Day -, it is time now to pave the way for a new stage where we are hoping that Europe will carry forward work on the spatial and territorial dimension and governance.”
CPMR's regional politicians consider that important progress has been registered in taking better account of the sea in a whole series of EU policies. Nevertheless, they hope that the EU will help all the integrated initiatives and partnerships aiming for good interaction between land-based and maritime activities, and a sustainable and joint development of all the activities carried out in the shared maritime sea basins
With regard to governance, the CPMR has raised the issue of the competences of central governments, Regions and local authorities, which vary from one State to another. It is proposing a new form of governance, which confirms the key role of the Regions as interfaces between the citizens and the economic and social stakeholders on the one hand and national and EU institutions on the other, especially in the cross-border and transnational sea regions. (L.C./trans/rh)