For an open and secure global maritime domain: elements for a European Union maritime security strategy

Summary:

The European Commission and the High-Representative for Foreign and Security Policy published in March 2014 a Joint Communication presenting a vision of the European Union's maritime security interests and threats, and proposing the area in which cooperation between various maritime players can be further enhanced.

Further information:

In December 2013, the European Council stressed the importance of safeguarding the EU’s strategic maritime security interests against a broad range of risks and threats. In terms of specific goals, the EU’s 2012 Limassol Declaration stressed the ‘importance of improved maritime governance including increased cooperation’.

The purpose of this strategy is to identify the maritime interests of the European Union (EU). It spells out the multitude of risks and threats the EU and its citizens may be confronted with. According to theommunication, the strategy should focus on five specific areas where a coordinated approach in the EU based on already existing tools would have an added value:

• External action;
• Maritime awareness, surveillance and information sharing;
• Capability development and capacity building;
• Risk management, protection of critical maritime infrastructure and crisis response;
• Maritime security research and innovation, education and training.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 06/03/2014: Towards an EU integrated approach to global maritime security https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-224_en.htm

European Commission: MEMO, 06/03/2014: Q& A's for a European Union Maritime Security Strategy https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-161_en.htm

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