COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas
Date: 2012-11-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, aquaculture, competitiveness, conservation of fish stocks, development policy, innovation, marine environment, maritime transport, tourism policy

EUROPEAN 
COMMISSION 

Brussels, 30.11.2012  
COM(2012) 713 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

A Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

A Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas 

Located centrally in the northern Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the contiguous Ionian Seas 
constitute  an  important  maritime  and  marine  area  in  Europe.  The  prospect  of  EU  accession 
means  that  there  will  be  a  continuing  increase  in  the  free  movement  of  people,  goods  and 
services.  Climate  change  and  its  impacts  are  posing  an  increasing  threat  for  coastal  areas. 
Coastal  countries  still  have  uneven  levels  of  experience,  technical  capacity,  financial 
resources  and  know-how  to  ensure  the  sustainable  development  of  their  marine  and  coastal 
areas.  

Seas,  islands  and  coastal  regions  are  complex  and  interconnected  systems.  It  is  thus  no 
surprise  that  the  countries  of  the  Adriatic  and  Ionian  area  have  decided  to  step  up  their 
cooperation starting from the sea, their main common natural asset. 

INTRODUCTION 

(1) 

Objectives 

This Communication assesses the needs and potential of sea-related activities in the Adriatic 
and Ionian area, and sets out a framework to move towards a coherent maritime strategy and 
corresponding  Action  Plan  by  2013.  Should  the  EU  Member  States  decide  to  ask  the 
Commission  to  prepare  an  EU  Strategy  for  the  Adriatic  and  Ionian  region,  this  maritime 
strategy might constitute the first component of such an EU macro-regional strategy covering 
additional fields. 

The  strategy  will  define  viable  actions  and  joint  initiatives  addressing  challenges  and 
opportunities with a cross-border dimension that can be solved only by common engagement. 
It  will  utilise  the  existing  resources,  legislation  and  structures  to  foster  cross-border 
partnerships and prioritise objectives around which local, regional and national actors can be 
mobilized to turn the priorities of the Europe 2020 Strategy into targeted actions.  

Thanks to smart management, implementation of this strategy can act as an economic driver 
without needing any extra money. It will also help in better formulating project applications 
and  coordinating  their  financing  and  delivery,  particularly  with  a  view  to  more  effective 
spending  under  the  new  financial  framework  2014-2020.  Maritime  projects  can  be  financed 
under various EU programmes and financial instruments, while respecting the competences of 
Member States which are eligible for support. These include the ERDF, CF, ESF, EFF1 and 
other  funding  programmes  and  instruments,  both  existing  (such  as  FP72  and  LIFE+3)  and 
future  (such  as  the  Connecting  Europe  Facility  and  the  EMFF4).  Furthermore,  IPA5  funds 

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European Regional Development Funds, Cohesion Fund, European Social Fund, European Fisheries Fund. 
The future Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020). 
The Financial Instrument for the Environment. 
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. 
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance. 

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need to be mobilised in order to involve candidate and potential candidate countries in future 
actions.  There  are  also  other  potential  sources  of  funding,  such  as  International  Financial 
Institutions, including through the Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF), national, 
regional  and  local  resources  as  well  as  private  investors.  Attention  should  be  paid  to 
combining all them efficiently within the strategic framework. Attention will also be given to 
competition rules if the funding of a particular project can be considered as State aid. 

It  will  lay  the  foundations  for  growth  by  supporting  long  term  sustainable  and  responsible 
fishing activities, good environmental status of the marine environment and a safer and more 
secure maritime space. It will also help address horizontal issues, such as efficient adaptation 
to the impact of climate change. This will foster smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of the 
maritime economy thus contributing to achieving the targets of the Europe 2020 Strategy.6 

Geographical scope 

(2) 
The Adriatic and Ionian7 Seas link the territories of seven countries: three EU Member States 
(Greece,  Italy  and  Slovenia),  one  acceding  country  (Croatia),  one  candidate  country 
(Montenegro) and two potential candidate countries (Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina). 
Serbia,  also  a  candidate  country,  is  one  of  the  eight  members  of  the  Adriatic  and  Ionian 
Initiative.8 Other countries in the area also have a political and economic interest in maritime 
activities in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, and can thus be involved in specific activities on a 
case-by-case basis. 

(3) 

Context 

There is already extensive cooperation between the coastal states of the Adriatic and Ionian 
Seas, stemming partly from European programmes, such as the IPA Cross-border Cooperation 
Adriatic  Programme  and  future  programmes  covering  the  area,  and  partly  from  other 
initiatives, such as the Adriatic Ionian Initiative. 

This  Communication  provides  a  framework  to  adapt  the  Integrated  Maritime  Policy  to  the 
needs  and  potential  of  the  natural  resources  and  socio-economic  fabric  of  the  Adriatic  and 
Ionian  marine  and  coastal  areas.  In  its  Conclusions  on  the  Integrated  Maritime  Policy  of 
December 2011, the Council expressed support for the ‘on-going work of Adriatic and Ionian 
Member States to enhance maritime cooperation with non-EU neighbours in the area within 
the framework of a macro regional strategy’. As highlighted in the ‘Limassol Declaration’9, 
sea-basin  cooperation  is  a  milestone  in  the  development  and  implementation  of  the  EU's 
Integrated Maritime Policy. The experience acquired in the Baltic Sea10, in the Danube11 and 
in  the  Atlantic  Sea12  can  provide  useful  examples  and  lessons  learnt.  The  ideas  presented 
below have been confirmed by three stakeholder workshops organised during 2012 in Greece, 
Italy and Slovenia. 

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COM(2010) 2020 final. 
For the scope of this work we refer to the International  Hydrographic Organisation definition that indicates the southern limit of the Ionian as the line from 
Cape Tenaron to Capo Passero. 
The AII is an initiative for regional cooperation launched by the Ancona Declaration in 2000. Serbia became an AII member succeeding to the State Union of 
Serbia and Montenegro. 
Declaration  of  the  European  Ministers  responsible  for  the  Integrated  Maritime  Policy  and  the  European  Commission  on  a  Marine and  Maritime  Agenda  for 
growth and jobs adopted on 8 October 2012. 
COM(2009) 248 final and COM(2012) 128 final. 
COM(2010) 715 final. 
COM(2011) 782 final. 

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SETTING AN AGENDA FOR SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH 
FROM THE SEA 

PILLAR 1: Maximising the potential of the blue economy 

In the Communication on 'Blue Growth: Opportunities for Marine and Maritime Sustainable 
Growth'13,  the  Commission  provides  a  picture  of  Europe's  blue  economy.  To  harness 
economic  growth  from  the  sea,  countries  need  to  put  in  place  the  right  conditions  for 
innovation and competitiveness and to concentrate on areas of comparative advantage. 

1.1 Setting the conditions for innovation and competitiveness 

A number of drivers for growth and bottlenecks need to be addressed to achieve the growth 
potential  of  marine  and  maritime  sectors.  These  include  administrative  simplification  and 
harmonisation,  skills  needs,  research,  development  and  innovation,  maritime  clusters,  smart 
and  climate-proofed  infrastructure  and  a  qualified  and  mobile  workforce.  Proper  conditions 
for their development will help crucial sectors for the area – such as shipbuilding, the boating 
industry  and  logistics  –  to  strengthen  their  competitive  leverage  and  kick-starting  new 
business opportunities. In the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Ditenave provides a good example 
of  a  maritime  cluster  bringing  together  high-tech  industry,  universities  and  regional 
authorities. 

The increased economic use of the marine and coastal space might intensify the competition 
for space. Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a key element to achieve the kind of decision-
making  that  balances  sectorial  interests  competing  for  marine  space.  Similarly,  Integrated 
Coastal  Zone  Management  (ICZM)  helps  tackle  increasing  pressure  on  coastal  zones.  The 
Priority  Action  Plan  of  UNEP/MAP14  plays  an  important  role  in  supporting  ICZM  by 
Mediterranean countries, implementing the ICZM Protocol of the Barcelona Convention. 

In the light of the above, the following issues provide examples of priority areas to develop: 

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Enhancing  administrative  cooperation  to  simplify  and  harmonise  formalities  for 
shipping, as provided in the EU acquis; 

Stimulating  the  creation  of  maritime  clusters  and  research  networks  as  well  as  the 
formulation of a research strategy to spur innovation; 

Increasing the mobility and qualification of the workforce, including transparency of 
qualifications; 

Developing MSP and ICZM at both at national and cross-border level, on the basis of 
the  eco-system  approach  and  making  the  best  use  of  results  of  key  EU  research 
projects on Marine Protected Areas.15 

COM(2012) 494 final, 13 September 2012. 
The  Coordinating  Unit  of  UNEP/MAP  is  the  body  charged  with  the  implementation  of  the  Convention  for  the  Protection  of  the  Marine  Environment  and 
Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. 
e.g. FP7-OCEAN project COCONET. 

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1.2 Relevant marine and maritime sectors 

1.2.1 Maritime transport 

Given their position both on the east-west and north-south axes of Europe, the Adriatic and 
Ionian  Seas  constitute  an  important  maritime  transport  route.  Several  central  European  and 
landlocked  countries  depend  heavily  on  the  northern  Adriatic  ports  for  their  imports.  Five 
Northern  Adriatic  ports  (Koper,  Ravenna,  Rijeka,  Venice,  Trieste)  have  gathered  within  the 
logistical  platform  of  the  North  Adriatic  Port  Association  (NAPA).  The  competitiveness  of 
Adriatic and Ionian ports, as has been identified in the ongoing development of the EU's ports 
strategy with relevant proposals planned for the first part of 2013, depends between others on: 

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Their capacity to enhance intermodality by integrating seaborne and land transport. 
The Baltic-Adriatic and Mediterranean transport corridors foreseen in the Connecting 
Europe Facility will tackle the lack of railways and motorway connections; 

Efficient and environmentally friendly operations. 

Ports play a crucial role in ensuring territorial continuity and social cohesion. However, sea 
connections  for  freight  and  passengers  among  Adriatic  and  Ionian  countries  are  rarely  the 
preferred  choice.  Given  the  large  number  of  countries  and  towns  around  the  Adriatic  and 
Ionian  Seas  and  the  relatively  short  distances  between  them  by  sea,  the  potential  for 
development of short sea shipping is strong. The Adriatic Motorway of the Sea16 exemplifies 
efforts to provide a viable and, reliable transport service through a trans-European multimodal 
transport  system.  Cross-border  ferry  connectivity  is  particularly  important  given  the  high 
number of islands off the Croatian and Greek coasts. 

In  light  of  the  above,  the  following  issues  provide  examples  of  potential  priority  areas  to 
develop in the planned ports strategy and the future TEN-T actions: 

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• 

• 

Optimising interfaces, procedures and infrastructure to facilitate trade with southern, 
central and eastern Europe; 

Optimising the connections by developing an integrated, demand-based, low-carbon 
maritime  transportation  network  across  the  region,  paying  particular  attention  to 
island connectivity; 

Increasing long-term environmental and economic sustainability. 

Concrete  options  to  be  considered  could  be  improving  connectivity  of  ports  with  their 
hinterlands  and  ensuring  the  rapid  implementation  of  the  maritime  transport  space  without 
barriers  (reducing  administrative  burden  for  intra-EU  sea  exchanges  in  the  region  or 
promoting the efficiency and quality of port services in the region). 

1.2.2 Coastal and maritime tourism 

Tourism is economically significant as one of the main and fast-growing maritime activities. 
It strongly benefits the regional economy by creating jobs and promoting the conservation of 
coastal and maritime cultural heritage. A common trademark, "AdrIon", has been developed 
by  the  Forum  of  Adriatic  and  Ionian  Chambers  of  Commerce.  Proper  management  of 
intensive coastal tourism is fundamental in order to mitigate possible negative effects on the 

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ADRIAMOS. 

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coastal and marine environment on which it strongly depends. For example,  the  capacity of 
waste or wastewater treatment plants needs to be adapted, to avoid discharging it directly into 
the sea. 

In the cruise sector, the Adriatic and Ionian area is already seeing rapid growth. Venice and 
Dubrovnik rank among the 10 main cruise passenger ports in Europe. Increasing segmentation 
of the market and new business models are opening up new opportunities for various ports. 

Finally,  cultural  and  archaeological  heritage  in  the  coastal  area  and  seabed  constitutes  an 
important element both in term of tourism development and common identity. 

In the light of the above, the following issues provide examples of priority areas to develop: 

• 

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• 

• 

Supporting 
encouraging innovation and common marketing strategies and products; 

the  sustainable  development  of  coastal  and  maritime 

tourism, 

Guaranteeing the sustainability of the sector by limiting its environmental footprint, 
taking into consideration the impacts of a changing climate; 

Promoting the sustainable development of cruise tourism; 

Enhancing the value and appreciation of cultural heritage. 

Concrete  options  to  be  considered  could  be  enhancing  common  branding  for  the  touristic 
promotion of the region, in line with the work started by the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of 
Commerce, and identifying new business models in the cruise sector. 

1.2.3 Aquaculture 

The  aquaculture  sector  represents  in  the  EU  roughly  80.000  direct  jobs,  a  vital  source  of 
income  in  numerous  EU  coastal  areas.  Italy  and  Greece  are  amongst  the  first  producer 
countries  in  the  whole  Mediterranean  for  farmed  fish,  producing  over  284,000  tonnes  per 
year. 

is 
The  development  of  a  strong,  high-quality  European  aquaculture  sector 
environmentally and economically sustainable has the potential to contribute to the creation of 
jobs  and  to  the  supply  of  healthy  food  products.  Aquaculture  can  also  alleviate  fishing 
pressure  and  thus  help  to  preserve  fish  stocks.  The  mitigation  of  negative  impacts  is  duly 
taken into account by the body of the EU environmental legislation. 

that 

A number of barriers prevent the development of the full potential of EU aquaculture: limited 
access to space and licensing; industry fragmentation; limited access to seed capital or loans 
for innovation; time-consuming administrative procedures and red tape. In full respect of the 
subsidiarity principle, the Common Fisheries Policy reform proposes to promote aquaculture 
through  a  coordinated  approach  based  on  non-binding  strategic  guidelines  and  common 
priorities and exchange of best practices through the open method of coordination. In the light 
of the above, the following issues provide examples of priority areas to develop: 

• 

Creating  new  jobs  and  business  opportunities  through  further  research  and 
innovation; 

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• 

In line with the principles of MSP, working on tools to properly site aquaculture in 
waters,  including  tools  to  identify  activities  for  potential  co-location  with  other 
economic activities. 

Concrete options to be considered could be cooperating to reduce administrative burden and 
optimising spatial planning through exchange of best practices. 

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PILLAR 2: Healthier marine environment 

The Adriatic and Ionian coastal and marine environment host a high diversity of habitats and 
species. Posidonia meadows and various marine mammals can be found in both seas.17 

The  combined  action  of  high  anthropogenic  pressure  and  topographic  characteristics  make 
these habitats highly susceptible to pollution. Cooperation between coastal states takes place 
within the regulatory frameworks of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Barcelona 
Convention  and  its  protocols  as  well  as  the  Joint  Commission  for  the  Protection  of  the 
Adriatic Sea and its Coastal Areas. 

A significant impact  on the Adriatic  Sea comes from  river  runoff.  Roughly  one-third of the 
Mediterranean's continental water flows into the northern and central Adriatic Sea. Resulting 
eutrophication  is  one  of  the  main  threats  to  this  area.18  Implementing  the  provisions  of  the 
Water  Framework  Directive  is  thus  relevant  to  achieving  good  environmental  status  of  the 
marine environment. 

Besides representing an aesthetic problem, marine litter often poses significant risks to marine 
life. The major sources of the litter are land-based activities: household waste, releases from 
touristic facilities and run-off from waste dumps. 

The area is also characterised by intensive maritime transport, which implies ships and port 
emissions,  risks  of  accidents  and  the  introduction  of  invasive  alien  species  through  ballast 
water discharges. In 2005 Croatia, Italy and Slovenia signed an agreement on a Sub-Regional 
Contingency Plan19 setting a legal and operational framework for preventing and combatting 
marine pollution incidents. 

In the light of the above, the following issues provide examples of priority areas to develop in 
the respective EU policies: 

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Ensuring  good  environmental  and  ecological  status  of  the  marine  and  coastal 
environment  by  2020  in  line  with  the  relevant  EU  acquis  and  the  Ecosystem 
Approach of the Barcelona Convention;  

Preserving biodiversity, ecosystems and their services by implementing the European 
ecological  network  Natura  2000  and  managing  it,  considering  also  related  work 
within the Barcelona Convention; 

Reducing marine litter, including through better waste management in coastal areas;  

Continuing  improving  sub-regional  cooperation  and  monitoring  the  existing 
mechanisms, particularly those set up by EMSA as regards prevention, preparedness 
and coordinated response to major oil spills and exploring how to make better use of 
available EU resources. 

Concrete  options  to  be  considered  could  be  exchanging  best  practices  among  managing 
authorities of Marine Protected Areas aiming to preserve biodiversity, building on the work of 
the Adriatic Protected Areas Network (AdriaPAN), as well as implementing the Sub-Regional 

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Initial integrated Assessment of the Mediterranean Sea fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. 
Idem. 
Sub-Regional Contingency Plan for Prevention of, Preparedness for and Response to Major Marine Pollution Incidents in the Adriatic Sea. 

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Contingency Plan, possibly extending it to other Adriatic and Ionian countries. 

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PILLAR 3: A safer and more secure maritime space 

Human  and  environmental  health,  safety  and  security  challenges  are  not  limited  to  the 
maritime  borders  of  one  single  country.  The  aim  should  be  a  synergetic  regional  response, 
with harmonised implementation of the existing EU and international rules and exploitation of 
new technologies. 

There  is  a  need  for  some  third  countries  in  the  region  to  improve  their  performance  as  flag 
states and their ranking in the performance list of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on 
port state control. Rigorous implementation of the EU and international rules will eventually 
contribute to the development of quality shipping in the region, result in a level playing field, 
encourage mobility and progressively prepare candidate and potential candidate countries for 
accession  to  the  EU.  The  establishment  of  a  culture  of  compliance  with  existing  EU  and 
international rules shall be pursued. 

There are also more passenger ships' crossings per year compared to other regions, while oil 
and  gas  transportation  is  increasing.  Beyond  commercial  maritime  traffic,  the  Adriatic  and 
Ionian  seas  are  used  by  criminal  networks  engaged  in  irregular  migration  and  other  illegal 
activities.  The  capabilities  of  public  authorities  to  monitor  maritime  traffic,  respond  to 
emergencies,  save  human  lives,  restore  the  marine  environment,  control  fisheries  activities, 
and cope with security threats and illegal activities shall be enhanced. 

The  following  issues  provide  examples  of  priority  areas  to  be  developed  particularly  in  the 
neighbouring countries in the region, taking into account ongoing actions in the framework of 
the EU acquis and in coherence with the national institutional frameworks involved: 

• 

• 

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Improving  the  culture  of  compliance  in  flag  and  port  state  control,  liability  and 
insurance of shipping, ship sanitation and control of communicable diseases on ships, 
accident investigation and port security; 

Enhancing  cooperation  between  national  or  regional  maritime  authorities  with  the 
EU,  establishing  mechanisms  to  enable  maritime  traffic  information  exchange 
between national VTMIS20 systems through SafeSeaNet; 

Supporting  the  development  of  decision  support  systems,  accident  response 
capacities, and contingency plans; 

Ensuring  adequate  sources  of  information  for  crews  and  navigators,  such  as 
bathymetry,  sea-bed  mapping  and  hydrographical  surveys,  and  incorporating  this 
information  into  electronic  nautical  charts  (e-navigation),  especially  for  use  by 
passenger ships. 

A concrete option to be considered in order to achieve these objectives, as emerged during the 
first round of stakeholder consultations, could be upgrading the existing ADRIREP21 system 
and integrating it with SafeSeaNet.  

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Vessel Traffic Management Information System. 
Adriatic Traffic Reporting System. 

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PILLAR 4: Sustainable and responsible fishing activities 

The  strategy  should  enhance  efforts  towards  long-term  sustainable  and  responsible  fisheries 
so that fishing activities can continue to provide an economic resource for coastal areas. 

Firstly,  effective  implementation  of  the  principles  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy  (CFP) 
should  be  sought.  The  CFP  advocates  the  promotion  of  a  bottom  up  approach  to  fisheries 
management.  Common  principles  and  tools  for  marine  protected  areas  of  fishery  interest22 
including the adoption of measures for the protection of sensitive habitats and certain species 
(e.g. turtles, dolphins), would also be beneficial for this area. 

There  is  already  cooperation  on  the  commercial  aspects  of  fisheries  among  administrative 
bodies and producer organizations in  Croatia, Italy and  Slovenia  leading  for example to the 
establishment of the Socio-Economic Observatory for Fishing and Aquaculture in the North 
Adriatic.  Its  scope  could  be  extended  to  develop  market  intelligence  and  services  to  ensure 
better traceability and allow for marketing of products.  

In  the  field  of  control,  monitoring  and  surveillance,  the  culture  of  compliance  needs  to 
increase  and  the  transfer  of  information  facilitated,  based  on  the  exchange  of  expertise  and 
best practices and the further development of common operational initiatives. The upgrade of 
all  the  proper  operational  tools  (systems,  equipment  and  other  resources)  should  also  be 
investigated. 

There  is  already  cooperation  on  scientific  issues  and  fisheries  management  within  the 
multilateral framework of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean and FAO 
regional projects (Adriamed and Eastmed). These projects need to be reinforced by increasing 
participation  of  all  subscribing  countries.  In  parallel,  further  scientific  cooperation  between 
the  region's  countries  could  be  promoted  to  better  link  scientific  research  with  the  needs  of 
fisheries and aquaculture. 

In the light of the above, the following issues provide examples of priority areas to develop: 

• 

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• 

Achieving  the  sustainable  management  of  fisheries,  including  the  development  of 
multiannual plans and measures such as Marine Protected Areas in their wider sense; 

Contributing  to  the  profitability  and  sustainability  of  fisheries,  by  strengthening 
stakeholders' involvement in fisheries management and other actions; 

Improving  the  culture  of  compliance,  saving  resources,  facilitating  the  transfer  of 
information and enhancing cooperation for the control of fishing activities; 

Developing scientific cooperation on fisheries. 

Concrete  options  to  be  considered  might  be  developing  market  intelligence  and  services  to 
ensure that marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products in the region is clear, efficient and 
fully  compliant  with  applicable  rules,  as  well  as  exchanging  socio-economic  data  in  the 
fishing sector. 

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Such as fishing protected areas under Art. 19 of the Mediterranean Regulation, fisheries restricted areas under the GFCM framework and Specially Protected 
Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs) under the Barcelona Convention. 

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NEXT STEPS: TOWARDS AN ACTION PLAN 

The  maritime  strategy  for  the  Adriatic  and  Ionian  Seas  will  be  spelled  out  in  detail  in  an 
Action  Plan  due  in  the  second  half  of  2013,  respecting  the  ongoing  and  planned  actions  of 
relevant  EU  policies.  Based  on  the  pillars  identified  in  this  Communication,  it  will  include 
priority areas and actions recommended for support in order to respond to the challenges and 
opportunities set out above. It will also set clear targets in line with those for the Europe 2020 
strategy.  Such  actions  will  be  undertaken  by  stakeholders  in  the  region  with  whom  the 
Commission will work, including governments and agencies, regions, municipalities, business 
actors, researchers and international and non-governmental organisations.  

The  Commission  will  work  with  these  stakeholders  and  other  institutions,  programming 
bodies and intergovernmental organisations active in the region, to align, where appropriate, 
their activities with the objectives of the strategy and to identify co-ordinating bodies for the 
envisaged actions and projects. 

The  governance  of  the  strategy  should  be  defined  with  a  view  to  establish,  monitor  and 
implement its Action Plan in the most coherent way. 

CONCLUSIONS 

The Commission is convinced that this framework will support all countries in delivering on 
the Europe 2020 objectives with regard to their maritime assets, their potential and sustainable 
use. It will promote European integration and territorial cooperation in a flexible and inclusive 
way,  while  respecting  the  subsidiarity  principle.  The  European  Commission  would  like  to 
know  if  the  priority  areas  identified  cover  the  main  issues  at  stake,  for  which  further 
cooperation  can  make  a  difference.  The  European  Commission  would  also  be  interested  in 
ideas for an effective and flexible governance set-up to accompany the Strategy and  Action 
Plan and to put actions into practice. It therefore invites the Council, the European Parliament, 
the Committee of the Region and the European Economic and Social Committee to examine 
and endorse this Communication.  

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