Debate: A new approach to the Atlantic maritime strategy
Date: MONDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Elisa Ferreira
Language: EN

The report in fact addresses a very important issue – the Atlantic action plan – in response to, and trying to achieve completion of, the ideas and suggestions that were already present in the July 2020 report from the Commission for a sustainable, resilient and competitive blue economy in the European Union’s Atlantic Area covering this Atlantic facet, with the friends Ireland, Portugal and Spain. This action plan is in fact an update to the original plan that dated already from 2013. Even if we don’t move immediately towards this final objective, one of the important novelties of the new action plan is, in fact, the consideration of a governance mechanism that strengthens and gives another capacity for cooperation not just among countries, but among regions. This is an important new element.  The new regional dimension is pivotal in the action plan as it includes the outermost regions of the European Union. Moreover, the Commission has been working intensively, as we just said, with the outermost regions, with other thematic platforms to help them set up their own blue economy strategies.  I note positively also the suggestion in your report to organise yearly a high—level set of meetings, which the Commission will consider in view of complementing the bottom—up approach of this strategy. We also share similar views on priorities such as transport links, connectivity and boosting innovation in ports. The new action plan fully reflects these.  Pillar One focuses on ports as gateways to trade and hubs for the blue economy, including the TEN—T network in the Atlantic, led by Ireland. Pillar Two concerns blue skills of the future and ocean literacy, coordinated by Portugal. Pillar Three deals with marine renewable energy development, coordinated by Spain. Pillar Four focuses on a healthy ocean and resilient coasts, addressing also marine pollution, coordinated by France.  This in fact settles and organises the work in a much more rational and acceptable way. These are also the priorities that participating Member States decided jointly to focus on.  On fisheries, I would like to point out that this important economic sector is broadly covered by the common fisheries policy. Nevertheless, the Commission is currently exploring with Member States how to integrate fisheries, aquaculture and tourism into the action plan’s implementation.  I am pleased that the action plan also has a strong international dimension, with the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance, including the United States, Canada, Brazil and South Africa. Furthermore, the new Atlantic action plan provides the possibility for third countries to be associated, subject to a joint decision by all participating countries.  In our view, existing European funds can provide the necessary financial support for this action plan to be fully implemented. The Commission counts on the regions to mobilise, for instance, indirect funds and to mainstream programmes in that direction. To that end, the Commission is also willing to facilitate the interaction between the Interreg Atlantic Area Monetary Committee and the members of the Atlantic Strategy.  Furthermore, the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund co—funds the so—called AspBAN project that has just kick—started in May. This project aims to establish an innovative network of Atlantic port accelerators involving start—ups, small and medium companies, so that ports can be transformed into true blue hubs.  The Commission will also fully support further flagship projects in the Atlantic area – for example, on marine renewable energy, in line with the work programme of the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. To conclude, I would like to stress that the new Atlantic action plan comes at the right time in order to give full effect to the priorities for the blue economy. The action plan provides for the necessary support to put the blue economy not only on the recovery path after the COVID—19 pandemic, but also on the path of green transformation.  Thank you very much. Let’s go on working together.