1. The Atlantic Forum Process and outcomes European Commission – DG MARE
MARITIME AFFAIRS
The Atlantic Forum
Process and outcomes
European Commission – DG MARE
Luis Cuervo Spottorno
ECOSOC meeting
Bilbao, 1 March 2012

2. Economic potential of sea largely untapped
energy
food
minerals
pharmaceuticals

3. The strategy as a means to meet EU2020 objectives
Ecosystem based management of living resources
Reduction of carbon emissions
Protection against risk and emergencies
Exploitation of seafloor resources
Socially inclusive growth

4. A window of opportunity
EU’s new financial framework begins in 2014
planning is beginning now

5. General approach OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME – INTERVENTION LOGIC
EU 2020 headline targets, GDP, employment rate
Result indicators
Output indicators
Thematic objectives
Specific objectives corresponding to investment priorities
Actions
THE PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT
National Reform Programme, national targets
Disparities and development needs
THE COMMON STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
Objectives and targets of EU 2020
Key territorial challenges
Key actions

6. Common Strategic Framework
comprehensive investment strategy for all funds, including rural development and maritime and fisheries policies
Translates thematic objectives into key actions for Member States and regions
Establishes priority areas for cooperation activities
Ensures better coherence and consistency with the National Reform Programmes

7. Partnership Contract
Prepared at national level with close involvement of partners
Agreed between the Commission and Member State, includes:
contribution of CSF Funds to achieve thematic objectives
integrated approach for territorial development
Arrangements for effective implementation: involvement of partners, ex-ante conditionalities, performance framework, additionality
Arrangements for efficient implementation: administrative capacity, administrative burden reduction

8. How can these funds unlock potential of sea ?
Budget € billion
Structural and Cohesion
376.0
Research - Horizon 2020
80.0
Maritime and Fisheries Fund
6.6
Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs
2.5
LIFE+
3.6
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
101.2
External Action Instruments
96.2
Total
666.1

9. Atlantic Forum - timetable
February-March 2012
gathering of proposals
visits to 5 EU Atlantic States
on-line consultation
May 2012
priority actions defined
April-July 2012
stakeholder events to refine and review proposals
Steering Group prepares Consultation Document
autumn 2012
Consultation document for discussion
further stakeholder events
November 2012
draft Action Plan → ideas for National Reform Programs & Partnership Contracts
early 2013
close Forum
Spring 2013
adoption of Action Plan by Commission

10. Thank you very much! luis.cuervo-spottorno@ec.europa.eu 10