The Common Maritime Agenda agreed by ministers of seven nations bordering the Black Sea is the first of its kind for the region and the result of a process initiated by the European Union.
Ministers from Bulgaria, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine met in Bucharest to endorse the Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda, and with this the Black Sea region joins the rest of the sea basins bordering the EU in setting a basin-wide initiative for more, and more sustainable, economic growth.
“The Black Sea region has taken a step towards a new type of sea basin strategy – one based on workable cross-border projects. This will push the region's blue economy forward sustainably. The countries that share the shores of the Black Sea can make this a success and the European Commission will continue to offer its full support,” said Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
Between 2015 and 2018 alone, the European Union has provided more than €13 million in support for the region’s blue economy, which represents all economic activities related to our oceans, seas or coastal areas.
“The Black Sea countries will pursue three goals – healthy marine and coastal ecosystems, a competitive, innovative and sustainable blue economy, and fostering investment in the blue economy,” Karmenu Vella commented.
