8511/17
COM(2017) 183 final
8511/17 ADD 1
SWD(2017) 130 final
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM ON EUROPEAN UNION DOCUMENTS
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the western Mediterranean
Commission Staff Working Document Framework for Action - Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the western Mediterranean
Submitted by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 16 May 2017
SUBJECT MATTER
1. The Commission Communication and Staff Working Document attached together set out the ‘Initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the western Mediterranean’. The Communication describes the challenges faced by the western Mediterranean region and proposes a series of priorities and related actions which are detailed in the accompanying ‘Framework for Action’.
2. This initiative originates in a joint call from the Foreign Ministers of France, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain with their counterparts in Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia for further cooperation in the marine and maritime sector (the so-called ‘blue economy’), as well as longer standing cooperation within the wider Union for the Mediterranean[1]. Its focus is greater coordination and cooperation among these 10 countries (the ‘5+5 Dialogue’), but allows for the involvement of partners in the central Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic where this is required.
3. Given the persistent risk of maritime transport accidents and the new imperative of managing migration flows, the first goal of the initiative is to improve the safety and security of activities at sea. The Commission proposes greater cooperation and joint training between coastguards on either side of the Mediterranean to improve links and build capacity among Southern partners, and measures to encourage the sharing of data related to maritime traffic and boost capacity to respond to environmental incidents.
4. Identifying the mismatch between labour shortages in maritime industries and high levels of unemployment on both sides of the western Mediterranean, as well as the need for greater investment in innovation and skills, the second goal is to promote sustainable growth and jobs in these industries (‘blue growth’). The Commission proposes actions to support: maritime training and education institutions; medium, small and micro enterprises; and sustainable shipping and tourism, as well as the greater involvement of Southern partners in research and innovation activities.
5. The third goal of the initiative is to promote sustainable resource management and preserve ecosystems and biodiversity in the face of economic, demographic and environmental pressures, including over-fishing and pollution. The Commission proposes a series of actions principally intended to strengthen existing legal frameworks and commitments, most notably the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean, and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean.
SCRUTINY HISTORY
6. EM 8158/17 Commission Staff Working Document - Report on the Blue Growth Strategy Towards more sustainable growth and jobs in the blue economy was informally submitted by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 5 May 2017.
7. EM 9770/14 Commission Staff Working Document Marine Knowledge 2020: roadmap - Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee of the Regions Innovation in the Blue Economy realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth was submitted by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills on 27 June 2014. The Commons European Scrutiny Committee considered it to be politically important and cleared it from scrutiny (Report No. 6, Session 14/15). The Lords European Union Select Committee cleared it from scrutiny (Sift No. 1551, Session 14/15).
8. 13908/12 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Blue Growth, opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth was submitted by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills on 30 October 2012. The Commons European Scrutiny Committee considered it to be politically important and cleared it from scrutiny (Report No. 19, Session 13/14). The Lords European Union Select Committee cleared it from scrutiny (Sift No. 1484, Session 13/14).
MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY
9. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy is responsible for the Government’s input into the Commission’s work on Blue Growth. Ministers in other Departments also have an interest.
INTEREST OF THE DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATIONS
10. Scottish Government Ministers, Welsh Government Ministers, and Northern Ireland Executive Ministers have an interest in this report. The devolved administrations have been consulted in the preparation of this EM.
GIBRALTAR
11. The Government of Gibraltar has been consulted in the preparation of this Explanatory Memorandum.
APPLICATION TO THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
12. This report is not applicable to the European Economic Area.
CONSULTATION
13. This is not a proposal for legislation and does not require a consultation exercise. The devolved administrations and Gibraltar Government have been consulted in the preparation of this EM.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
14. No regulatory impact assessment has been prepared because this is not a proposal for legislation and it will have no impact on business costs.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
15. There are no financial implications for the UK.
16. The Commission states that the initiative will be funded by existing international, EU, national and regional funds and financial instruments. The potential funding sources identified throughout the document are intended to be indicative, and without prejudice to the internal assessment and evaluation procedures applicable to each fund.
TIMETABLE
17. The Commission presented this Communication at a working level meeting of officials in early May. Given that it concerns both EU Member States and third countries, the Commission notes in the text that it will need to be endorsed both by the EU and the Union for the Mediterranean, where all ten countries are represented together.
18. The Maltese Presidency intends for the Council to endorse the initiative in Council Conclusions on integrated maritime policy in June. Once endorsed, the Commission will seek to agree the terms of the initiative as set out in its Communication and Framework for Action with the five non-EU Mediterranean partners (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia), allowing work to begin on implementation before the end of the year.
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
[1] The Union for the Mediterranean is an intergovernmental organization which brings together the Member States of the European Union and 15 Mediterranean partner countries from North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Europe.