By outgoing Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki

Here we are, in the midst of the “year of the Mediterranean” as Greece handed the EU Presidency of the Council over to Italy this week.

I am glad to see the progress made under the Greek Presidency in terms of sustainability of our oceans, growth and job creation. The EU Ministers agreed on strategies fostering coastal and maritime tourism and framing policy on ocean energy and blue innovation. These are the key drivers of Europe’s blue economy. But only safe and secure oceans can attract sustainable investments.

So, to underpin Blue Growth, the Council ensured progress was made in terms of knowledge, safety and security of the oceans. It endorsed the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and enhanced research programs through Horizon 2020. Also, EU is now leading by example in the fight against illegal fishing: with its “yellow cards” and trade measures, it ensures no illegal product ends up on the EU market. Moreover, the Council endorsed an EU Maritime Security Strategy focusing on an effective and comprehensive approach of maritime security challenges. The Italians now hold Europe’s steering wheel and will have to continue the work in carrying the EU Maritime Security Strategy forward.

On the other hand, all eyes will focus during the Italian Presidency on the yearly exercise of agreeing fish quotas as, for the first time we will implement the new Common Fisheries Policy. This exercise is going to be crucial for the Baltic, North-East Atlantic and deep-sea fisheries. I also expect the Italian Presidency to finalize discussions on deep-sea trawling and driftnets. We have tabled proposal and it is now up to the Council and EP to take these files forward.

Last but not least, I hope EU Ministers will endorse the Adriatic and Ionian Strategy that we have proposed together with Commissioner Hahn earlier this year. Challenges are not specific to one country belonging to one sea basin. Regionalization is a united and coherent solution to tackle these common issues.

There is still a lot to do, but I am confident that the “year of the Mediterranean” is on the right track.