The Communication concerning the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region provides an overall framework for policy coordination and territorial cooperation. The general objective of the Strategy is to promote sustainable economic and social prosperity in the Region through growth and jobs creation, and by improving its attractiveness, competitiveness and connectivity, while preserving the environment and ensuring healthy and balanced marine and coastal ecosystems. The pillars of the Strategy are: (i) blue growth, (ii) connecting the Region (transport and energy networks), (iii) environmental quality, and (iv) sustainable tourism. This Communication also identifies two cross-cutting aspects: (a) capacity-building, including communication, for efficient implementation and for raising public awareness and support; and (b) research and innovation to boost high-skilled employment, growth and competitiveness. Furthermore, climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as disaster risk management are horizontal principles for all four pillars. This Communication addresses the challenges the Adriatic-Ionian Region is facing, namely: socio-economic disparities, infrastructure deficits, inadequate interconnection of electricity grids, unsustainable environmental practices, natural and man-made hazards and risks entailed by climate change, and administrative and institutional issues. However, it underlines that the Region also offers many opportunities, with much potential for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Innovative maritime and marine growth will be driven in the Region by promoting sustainable economic development and jobs and business opportunities in the Blue economy, including fisheries and aquaculture. Fishery management will be coordinated to improve data collection, monitoring and control. Joint planning efforts and administrative and cooperation capacity will be increased to improve use of existing resources and maritime governance at sea basin level. High-skilled job and economic opportunities will be created by focusing on research and innovation, cluster development and knowledge transfer related to blue technologies specific to the Region, and linked to regional and national smart specialisation strategies. Fisheries and aquaculture profitability and sustainability will be increased by improving data collection, monitoring and control, implementing multiannual fisheries management plans at sea basin level, harmonising standards, improving skills and capacity to comply with EU rules and standards and increasing the added value of local seafood value chains, and more transparent marketing and processing. The transport and energy connectivity will be improved in the Region and with the rest of Europe through inter-linked and sustainable transport and energy networks. This Communication seeks to develop the full potential of the Region in terms of innovative, sustainable, responsible quality tourism. Good and stable governance mechanisms will be achieved for effective implementation through stronger political leadership, effective decision-making, and good organization. The links with EU policies will be strengthened in the Region for greater observance of EU legal obligations, addressing gaps and practical difficulties leading to delays, especially in relation to the Single Market and the environment. Environmental quality will be addressed through cooperation at the level of the Region to ensure its contribution to good environmental status for marine and coastal ecosystems, reducing pollution of the sea, limiting, mitigating and compensating soil sealing, reducing air pollution and halting loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems. Joint management of eco-regions across borders will be encouraged, as well as of healthy populations of large carnivores, and measures to increase compliance with hunting rules for migratory birds.
2014-06-17