EU-ministers visserij beleid komen tot integraal maritiem beleid (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Cypriotisch voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2012 i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 5 oktober 2012.

EU Ministers responsible for maritime affairs are expected to agree and adopt a political declaration that looks to provide a new impetus to the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), during their two-day informal meeting in Cyprus on October 7 and 8. The Limassol Declaration, a Cyprus Presidency initiative which is anticipated to become a landmark for the policy’s future development, will be presented at a special ceremony in Limassol on Monday, October 8, by the President of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias and the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso i, who is also the EU IMP’s visionary.

The EU’s IMP constitutes an innovative cross-cutting policy which is considered extremely important in the efforts to enhance the EU’s ability to exploit to the maximum the sustainable use of oceans, seas and coasts in an all-rounded way.

The policy which was launched in Lisbon in 2007, introduces a coherent approach to maritime issues by increasing coordination between different policy areas and covers policies such as maritime growth, marine data and knowledge, maritime special planning, maritime surveillance and sea basin strategies.

The Limassol Declaration aims to re-energise the EU’s IMP and to provide the guidelines for the policy’s future development.

Through its two pillars - ‘Blue Growth’ and the policy’s external dimension, the Limassol Declaration is widely regarded as a crucial and useful tool in helping the Union achieve its targets of the “Europe 2020” Strategy.

“The Limassol Declaration will provide guidelines, not only for existing but also for new sectors of sea exploitation, therefore highlighting the ways in which the sea and the oceans can be used to contribute to growth and to the EU’s overall economy,” said Cyprus Minister of Communications and Works, Mr. Efthemios Flourentzou, who will also be chairing the informal meeting in Cyprus.

The Limassol Declaration will be submitted to the General Affairs Council for further examination and adoption, while Council Conclusions are expected from the European Council in December.

The European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Mrs. Maria Damanaki i and Members of the European Parliament will also take part in the informal meeting and will attend the Ceremony in Limassol.