Press Release: EU Maritime Policy: a first year marked by achievements

Precisely one year ago, and after one of the most comprehensive stakeholder consultations ever, the European Commission tabled its proposal for an Integrated EU Maritime Policy. EU Heads of State and Government endorsed the Commission's vision only weeks later at the December European Council under the Portuguese Presidency. The European Commission marked the first anniversary of the Integrated Maritime Policy by reviewing the concrete progress achieved to date. The last twelve months saw major new initiatives in areas as varied as border surveillance, sustainable tourism, maritime transport strategy, climate change, marine and maritime research strategy, or maritime governance. At the same time, the Commission's services coordinating this policy were reorganised within DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to provide cross-cutting coordination on a regional basis. The Commission plans to launch a number of new policy initiatives in the coming months which will also make an immediate, tangible difference to the way our oceans are managed.