According to the European Commission the improved governance of maritime affairs would be an important driver for more sustainable growth in the region, while at the same addressing common issues of concern. There are many challenges such as competition for marine space, threats to maritime safety, environmental degradation and the adverse effects of climate change. These challenges point to the need for a more coordinated response of maritime governance in the region, also in cooperation with non-EU Mediterranean partners.
European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Joe Borg expressed that the development of more integrated decision-making processes in the Mediterranean region will certainly be beneficial to all stakeholders and administrations. He added that the success in ensuring a strong and sustainable future for the maritime industries and the preservation of the marine environment in the Mediterranean region will depend on how much effort we put into improving maritime governance in all its aspects.
Borg stressed that the EU must work for a more integrated and inclusive maritime policy not only for the EU, but also in partnership with all our neighbours. Driving integrated maritime governance enhanced cooperation between the countries affected to tackle common challenges is only half of the solution. Decision-makers need to shift from sector-by-sector action to comprehensive policy-making that takes into account links between different maritime activities.
