The Atlantic Strategy
The Commission adopted an Atlantic Maritime Strategy in 2011 in response to repeated calls from stakeholders for more ambitious, open and effective cooperation in the Atlantic Ocean area. The strategy identified the challenges and opportunities facing the region, grouping them under five thematic headings: implementing the ecosystem approach; reducing Europe’s carbon footprint; sustainable exploration of the natural resources on the sea floor; responding to threats and emergencies; socially inclusive growth; Following a bottom-up consultation in the five Member States with Atlantic coasts (Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal), an action plan was developed that set out practical steps to be taken in these areas. The Atlantic Action Plan was adopted in May 2013. To support the implementation of the plan, the Commission launched the Atlantic assistance mechanism.