Towards an EU integrated approach to global maritime security

EU News 100/2014

Brussels, 06 March 2014
140306/02

The European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy have adopted today a Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council "For an open and secure global maritime domain: elements for a European Union maritime security strategy".

This joint communication presents a vision of the Union's maritime security interests and threats, and proposes the areas in which cooperation between various maritime players can be enhanced beyond what is already good practice today. It encompasses all maritime functions, from coastguards to navies, port authorities and customs duty officers and would affect the EU waters as well as each ship sailing under EU Member States' – flag and have a global reach. This document will now serve as a basis for the work with Member States towards a full-fledged EU maritime security strategy.

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The purpose of the new strategy is to identify the maritime interests of the EU such as prevention of conflicts, protection of critical infrastructure, effective control of external borders, the protection of the global trade support chain and the prevention of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. It spells out the multitude of risks and threats the EU and its citizens may be confronted with: territorial maritime disputes, maritime piracy, terrorism against ships and ports or other critical infrastructure, organised sea-borne crime and trafficking up to potential impacts of natural disasters or extreme events.

Re-enforced cooperation between all maritime actors can efficiently address the risks and threats better than today. According to the communication, 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.

Source and additional information:
http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140306_02_en.pdf

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