European Economic and Social Committee Going local event From maritime policy towards a macro- regional strategy for the Atlantic Bilbao, Spain; 1–2 March 2012 Luis Miguel Pariza Castaños

The Atlantic Region

The Baltic Sea Region and the Danube Region

What has happened so far In Nov Mr Pariza proposed to the ECO-section to elaborate an own initiative opinion for a macro-regional strategy for the Atlantic region. In 2010 and 2011 there were debates in the Council. There were four countries in favor and one against a macro- regional strategy for the Atlantic Region. Agreement in the Council: A strategy for the Atlantic in the framework of maritime policy.

Own initiative opinion- work starts Sept Oct. 2011: meeting with the Atlantic Transnational Network (ATR / RTA) in Bayonne, France. 19 Dec. 2011: First EESC-study group meeting on a EU- Strategy for the Atlantic Region.

Conference in Lisbon, 28 and 29 Nov 2011 Commission president Barroso and Commissioner Damanaki present the Commission CommunicationDeveloping a Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean Area (COM(2011)782 final. Participants include national governments, the European Parliament, the EESC, and the Commission DGs REGIO and MARE. In addition, regional authorities and representatives of business, actors of the social sector of the Atlantic regions.

Intervention of the EESC at the Lisbon conference The maritime policy is a very useful instrument, but it is necessary to incorporate the territorial pillar The maritime strategy has to be transformed into a macro- regional strategy The EESC will participate in the work of the Atlantic Forum, to be set up in the context of the Commission Communication

The hearing in Bilbao: 1 and 2 March 2011

The Atlantic Region Bilbao

Gross domestic product per inhabitant, in purchasing power standard, by NUTS 2 regions, 2008 (in percentage of EU-27 =100)

20 years of cooperation between regions and civil society Atlantic Arc Commission (one of the six geographical Commissions in the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe – CPMR): regional authorities Atlantic Transnational Network (ATR): regional Economic and Social Councils Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities (C.A.A.C) Chambers of Commerce, Trade Unions, Universities

The EESC-hearing in Bilbao From maritime policy towards a macro-regional strategy for the Atlantic Going local event Organised in cooperation with the Basque Economic and Social Council It is a regional contribution to the EU-2020 strategy Multilevel governance, bottom up, with the participation of economic and social actors

Proposal of the EESC for the future macro- regional strategy A strategic document which defines the thematic pillars of the EU2020 strategy An action plan An evaluation-system

Thematic pillars International dimension Sustainable growth Smart growth Inclusive growth

International dimension The Americas Africa

Sustainable growth Maritime transport systems: Motorways of the sea and connections of the ports with the railway-network Sustainability of the marine environment and the coastal areas Sustainable fishery and aquaculture Adaptation to climate change

Smart growth An Atlantic railway corridor between ports Development of renewable marine-energies: wind, waves and currents Submarine natural mineral deposits Marine biotechnology Naval and nautical industries Tourism

Inclusive growth Strong social dimension: creation of new employment Social and civil dialogue Development of education and training Cooperation between universities and technological centres Cohesion policy for metropolitan areas, villages on the coast and in the interior, and the islands

Governance and financing European strategy: adopted by Council and Parliament, at the initiative of the Commission Ample consultation and dialogue: Model of multilevel governance The Commission coordinates the actions High level group: Member States, Commission, Parliament, EESC and CoR

Modify the THREE NOs Macro-regional strategies are based on the 'three no's' concept no new EU laws no new institutions no additional funding In the future, it will be necessary to dispose of Legal instruments Administrative units Specific financial resources

The Atlantic Forum The EESC will participate in the leadership group of the Atlantic Forum. The Atlantic Transnational Network has been accepted as member of the Forum. The Commission wants the Forum to be dissolved in 2012 with the elaboration of the action plan. The EESC would like the Forum to remain. Follow up and evaluation

The ECO-Section On 7 May 2012 the ECO section will adopt the draft opinion ECO/306- A Strategy for the Atlantic Region, Rapporteur Mr. Pariza. Thematic debate with Commissioner Damanaki (tbc) and MEP Ana Miranda EESC plenary: 23/24 May 2012

Thank you for your attention Luis Miguel Pariza Castaños Member of the EESC Rapporteur for the EESC-opinion on a Strategy for the Atlantic Region