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. 2010 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. 2011

• 24 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 Communication

“Developing 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