26. 05.10:
Future Maritime funding
The Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, Diego Lopez Garrido, used the occasion of the annual European Maritime Day (20 May) in Gijon to announce that the June Council of Ministers meeting will unveil a new financial instrument to develop an Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) as set out in the 2007 vision document ('the Blue Book') and accompanying action plan. The package is expected to be worth in the region of EUR45 million over 3 years and will be used to support actions of joining up policies with a maritime dimension over the coming years.
IMP covers a wide range of governance, spatial planning, and sustainable development issues including marine transport; competitiveness and employment in marine businesses; scientific research; and protection of the marine environment. Actions dealing with the economic crisis and the need to embed maritime issues within the European strategy for growth and economic development are likely to be prioritised.
At the same meeting Spain's Minister for the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Elena Espinosa called for actions to develop broader knowledge of Europe's maritime resources and their economic, social and environmental situations. She also supported the development of joint marine strategies at a transnational level. EU Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner MarIa Damanaki noted the need to develop a comprehensive policy that includes all involved parties in activities related to the sea and expands marine knowledge.
