A progress report detailing the achievements of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) over the past two years has been presented by the European Commission. Looking into its future the Commission has tabled concrete proposals on two major IMP issues – the integration across sectors and countries of maritime surveillance and the international dimension of Europe’s maritime policy.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told that the first time ever launch of an ambitious integrated maritime policy is a key achievement of the present Commission. It is also a challenge for the next Commission. European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Joe Borg informed that although the Integrated Maritime Policy is a very young European policy, it has already succeeded in changing the way Europe deals with its maritime assets and has placed maritime issues high on Europe’s agenda.
Borg further adds that the excellent start it has made with the IMP should spur us on to even bigger and bolder thinking in the future. It should encourage us to keep pushing the boundaries when it comes to taking concerted action for the good of our marine environment, maritime economy and security.
The Progress Report takes stock of two years of IMP achievements. It also sets out six strategic policy orientations for the future namely Integration of maritime governance; Development of cross-cutting policy tools; Definition of limitations to maritime activities as necessary in order to guarantee sustainability; Development of sea-basin regional strategies; Development of the international dimension of the Integrated Maritime Policy; and Renewed focus on sustainable economic growth, employment and innovation.
To allow for integration in the field of maritime surveillance, the Commission has set out guiding principles to help EU Member States establish a common information sharing environment for their numerous surveillance authorities. The Commission has also published a strategy document which sets out the way to ensure that the EU exert stronger influence in the international arena on maritime affairs in order to strengthen the global governance of the oceans and seas.
