From maritime policy towards a macro-regional strategy for the Atlantic – Going-local event, 1-2 March 2012

For several years, 30 regions of the European Atlantic seaboard have been pursuing political cooperation activities to promote actions of common interest. These regions are from Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal, whose objective is territorial cohesion within the framework of the Lisbon Treaty.

Civil society in these regions participates actively. Economic and social councils, chambers of commerce, universities and cities have taken action to urge the EU to draw up an Integrated Strategy for this Atlantic macroregion.

The EESC's hearing was an excellent occasion to explore the objective of the authorities and civil society of the Atlantic Arc, which is for the EU to offer an Integrated Framework to enable the Member States and regions to identify the needs and bring them into line with the resources available through the coordination of certain policies.