of EU Water and EU Marine Directors

of EU Water and EU Marine Directors
The Limassol Declaration… …and follow up in Council Informal Meeting of EU Water and EU Marine Directors 28 November 2012

The Limassol Declaration…
- Why? - How? - Importance… - The next day…

Why?

Why? The Limassol Declaration… …from the national perspective
Cyprus, as a maritime state, acknowledges the importance of the seas and oceans and is more than aware of the increasingly trans-boundary nature of maritime activities and their impacts.

Why? The Limassol Declaration… …from the EU Presidency perspective
Cyprus Presidency works towards a Better and More Efficient Europe, contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth, through more effective policies. The EU Integrated Maritime Policy (EU-IMP) is an important tool in meeting the objectives of “Europe 2020” Strategy.

Why? The Limassol Declaration… …from the EU Presidency perspective
Cyprus realizes the potentials of Europe’s oceans and seas for the EU economy, sustainability and prosperity as well as the need for a genuine strategic approach to Europe’s maritime affairs and coastal areas. The EU Integrated Maritime Policy covers all aspects of our relationship with the oceans and seas. The EU-IMP is a cross-cutting policy which aims to enhance Europe’s capacity to maximize the sustainable use of oceans, seas and coasts in a holistic way. It opens a number of potential new avenues.

Why? The Limassol Declaration…
Marine and maritime sectors are crucial drivers for growth and jobs for the EU economy as their annual Gross Value Added amounts to 495 billion euros. 5,4 million Europeans are employed in those sectors across EU Member States. 88 million Europeans are working in coastal regions where over 205 million citizens live. Europe's seas and oceans offer unexplored areas for innovation, sustainable growth and employment.

Why? The Limassol Declaration… The Cyprus Presidency
…from the EU Presidency perspective The Cyprus Presidency having realized all these potentials of EU Integrated Maritime Policy has placed this policy among its Strategic Priorities.

How?

How? The Limassol Declaration… …from Lisbon to Limassol
The EU-ΙMP was launched in 2007, as a result of intensive efforts and hard work from the European Institutions, through the official presentation and launching of the “Blue Book” at a successful Ministerial Meeting which took place in Lisbon in October 2007, under the Portuguese Presidency.

The Cyprus Presidency’s objective was to focus on the progress made on EU-IMP and highlight its importance by attempting to “Reenergize” IMP, thus creating the framework for new impetus towards implementing this innovative cross-cutting Policy. This priority was highlighted through an Informal Ministerial Meeting as a follow-up to the one organized by the Portuguese Presidency in Lisbon in October The said Ministerial Meeting under the theme “Reenergizing EU-IMP: From Lisbon to Limassol” .

The Informal Ministerial Meeting took place on the 7th October 2012 at the “Filoxenia” Conference Center in Nicosia. The Meeting was chaired by the Cypriot Minister of Communications & Works Mr. Flourentzou and was attended by Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Mrs. Damanaki, Ministers responsible for Maritime Affairs from EU Member States, Croatia, the European Economic Area and Members of the European Parliament.

Following a fruitful and dynamic debate the Ministerial Meeting adopted the “Limassol Declaration” which was officially presented by the Chairman Minister Flourentzou in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Christofias and the President of the European Commission Mr. Barosso on the 8th of October in Limassol.

the “Limassol Declaration”.
We, Ministers responsible for the Integrated Maritime Policy of the European Union Member States, Croatia and the European Economic Area, under the chairmanship of Mr.Efthemios Flourentzou, Minister of Communications and Works, and in the presence of H.E. Mr. Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr.José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission and Mrs.Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, on the occasion of the Informal Ministerial Meeting which took place in Nicosia Cyprus on 7 October 2012, have agreed to adopt the “Limassol Declaration”.

How? The Limassol Declaration… …The Road to Limassol Declaration
May 22 Cyprus presented a Draft content of the Declaration (or Orientation Paper) to the High Level Focal Point (HLFP) on EU-IMP for the contributions of Member States by June 15. June 15–29 A joint drafting exercise between Cyprus and the European Commission took place on the basis of the contributions from the HLFP on the Draft declaration and taking into account the results from the public consultation on Blue Growth that has been launched by the European Commission (DG MARE) in March and ended in May. July 2–6 The first Draft of the Declaration along with the official invitation were sent to all Ministers of EU Member States and EEA countries responsible for Maritime Affairs. July-Sept. The Draft was examined in the Friends of the Presidency Group of the Council in order to evaluate the official views of Member States and formulate the final Draft. Oct. 7-8 Adoption of the “Limassol Declaration” on the basis of the discussions and the exchange of views in the Informal Ministerial Meeting.

Importance…

Importance… The Limassol Declaration…
Fosters a dynamic marine and maritime agenda for growth, competitiveness, and job creating potential towards a sustainable blue economy. Lies on the basis that a healthy blue economy can be a major driving force for the economy of the entire continent and that it is vital for Europe’s future. Promotes the maritime dimension of the Europe 2020 Strategy: obtaining smart, sustainable and inclusive growth by unlocking the potential of the oceans, seas and coasts.

The Limassol Declaration creates the framework for new impetus for the further development of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy by marking as our common objectives the: Enhancement of the competitiveness of the EU shipping sector. Maximisation of opportunities for innovation in the European shipbuilding and marine equipment industry. Encouragement of the creation of new employment opportunities by increasing marine renewable energy production and exploration.

Ensures the uninterrupted availability on the European market of energy. Encourages investment in research and innovation to foster the cultivation of aquatic products as ways to stimulate growth potential. Supports the development of a highly diversified and sustainable coastal and maritime tourism in Europe. Fosters the development of new technologies for the safe and sustainable harvesting of marine mineral deposits.

Supports the development of marine and maritime activities in the context of MFF Fosters blue biotechnology sector. Promotes the development of Marine Knowledge and the deployment of Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management. Encourages the continued implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive;

Promotes maritime jobs and maritime careers. Involves local communities and civil society in the development of innovative maritime activities. Promotes the integration of Maritime Surveillance through a fully operational CISE (Common Information Sharing Environment);

focuses on the "Blue Growth” initiative which aims to stimulate growth, jobs and competitiveness from marine and maritime sectors which represent a source of untapped economic potential that is vital for Europe’s future and its economic recovery.

Importance… The Limassol Declaration… …the external dimension
Emphasizes the importance of EU Member States to enhance sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation with third countries sharing a sea basin with the EU thus increasing the potential for sustainable growth perspectives from the oceans, seas and coasts. Promotes dialogue and exchange of best practice on international level, especially with 3rd countries sharing a sea basin with EU Member States within the framework of UNCLOS.

…is attributed in the President’s of the European Commission address during the presentation of the Limassol Declaration “The Declaration we are adopting is not simply a statement of the status quo, it goes much further than this with a focus not just on what is important today but a clear emphasis on what we should do to create the jobs of tomorrow.” “The Declaration we are adopting today is a strong basis on which to develop the blue economy in Europe. By doing so we are giving a strong maritime pillar to the Europe 2020 strategy.” José Manuel Durão Barroso Limassol, 8 October 2012

The next day…

The next day… The Limassol Declaration… …follow up in the Council
The “Limassol Declaration” will be highlighted in the Council Conclusions of the General Affairs Council . A set of draft Council Conclusions on the Marine and Maritime Agenda for Growth and Jobs is examined in Friends of the Presidency Working Group on EU-IMP in the Council.

Through these Conclusions the Council… WELCOMES the successful informal Ministerial Conference on IMP organised by the Cyprus Presidency, in Cyprus on 7-8 October 2012 giving political priority to create a new impetus toward this cross-cutting policy and to enhance the economic potential of maritime Europe;

Through these Conclusions the Council… ENDORSES the content of the Limassol Declaration, a Marine and Maritime Agenda for Growth and Jobs, and recognises the Declaration as a substantial component of the Europe 2020 strategy that supports the growth, competitiveness and job-creating potential of the blue economy; INVITES Members States and the Commission to pursue the Agenda in view of reaching 7 million jobs and a yearly gross added value of €600 billion in the European blue economy by 2020. The full text of the Limassol Declaration is annexed to the Conclusions.

The Council Conclusions ... were provisionally agreed on the 21st of November 2012 will be approved in today’s (28 Nov.) COREPER II meeting will be adopted by the General Affairs Council on the 11th of December 2012

In the 21st century, the destiny of the world would be decided on its waters! Captain Alfred Thayler Mahan 1890

“Limassol Declaration”
The Limassol Declaration… The Cyprus Presidency envisages that the “Limassol Declaration” will become the milestone for the future development of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy.

From Lisbon …the westernmost part of Europe to Limassol …the easternmost part of Europe The EU Integrated Maritime Policy was launched in Portugal, the westernmost part of Europe in 2007 and it has been reenergized in Cyprus, the easternmost part of Europe in 2012 in order to stimulate growth, jobs and competitiveness thus contributing to Europe's economic recovery.

Thank you! Vassilis Demetriades Head of EU Affairs Unit
Ministry of Communications & Works Republic of Cyprus Tel Thank you!

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