European ministers on 26 June adopted a revised action plan on maritime security. With the new plan, Europe strengthens its commitment to security at sea – both at home and around the world.
“With this action plan, the EU reaffirms its role as a global maritime security provider,” said EU High Representative Federica Mogherini. “It promotes international cooperation, maritime multilateralism and the rule of law at sea, in line with the strategic priorities identified in the EU Global Strategy”.
“Secure seas and oceans are crucial to Europe’s welfare,” said European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella. “We have made a big step forward recently with coastguard cooperation, and we must build on that success to move on to other forms of collective preparedness. Risks and threats evolve all the time, and this revised action plan allows us to anticipate better, plan better and react better.”
Essential in this revised Action Plan:
- An innovative & holistic perspective on maritime security, encompassing terrorism as well as cyber, hybrid, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats in the maritime domain
- Introducing a regional approach to a global challenge, allowing for tailor-made responses to security challenges in European sea basins and key hotspots such as the Gulf of Guinea and the Horn of Africa
- Protection of critical maritime infrastructure such as ports, ships and energy installations at sea
- Stronger collaboration between civilian and military actors, between different agencies and across borders
The action plan follows on from the European Union Maritime Security Strategy (2014), the first comprehensive framework of common principles for the protection of the EU’s strategic maritime interests. Today’s update will ensure that the EU response remains fit for current and future challenges in a rapidly changing security environment.
Original source: European Union
Published on 25 June 2018
