Safeguarding the EU’s maritime interests

SUMMARY OF:

Joint communication (JOIN(2014) 9 final) — For an open and secure global maritime domain: elements for a European Union maritime security strategy

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE COMMUNICATION?

It sets out a common framework for civil–military coordination between European Union (EU) Member States and between Member States and the EU, to enable them to develop coherent policies.
It also ensures that the EU can protect its strategic maritime interests from various threats and risks.

KEY POINTS

The communication highlights the EU’s key strategic maritime security interests:

preventing conflicts, preserving peace and strengthening international security through cooperation with international partners;
protecting the EU against maritime security threats, including threats to critical maritime infrastructure, such as ports, terminals, underwater pipelines and telecommunications cables;
effective control of the EU’s external borders to prevent illegal activities;
protecting:
- the EU’s global supply chain,
- the freedom of navigation,
- the right of innocent passage* of ships flying the flags of Member States, and
- the safety and security of those on board;
preventing illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

It also identifies a number of maritime security threats, including:

territorial maritime disputes, acts of aggression and armed conflict between countries;
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
maritime piracy and armed robbery at sea;
the potential impact of illegal discharges or accidental marine pollution on the environment.

The maritime security strategy will address the EU’s strategic maritime security interests and threats by promoting a cross-sectoral approach* with four specific objectives:

making the best use of capabilities at EU and national level;
promoting effective and credible partnerships in the global maritime domain;
promoting cost efficiency; and
enhancing solidarity among Member States.

To achieve better maritime governance at EU level, the communication sets out four guiding principles:

a cross-sectoral approach
functional integrity *
maritime multilateralism *
respect for rules and principles*.

These are to be applied in five areas of improved cooperation:

external action;
maritime awareness, surveillance and information sharing;
capability development and capacity building;
risk management, protection of critical maritime infrastructure and crisis response;
maritime security research and innovation, education and training.

The EU maritime security strategy is complemented by an action plan that was adopted in December 2014 and revised in June 2018. The action plan sets out 90 actions bringing together internal and external aspects of the EU’s maritime security.

The first part, covering horizontal actions, focuses on five key areas:

international cooperation
maritime surveillance
capability development (including research and innovation)
risk management
education and training.

The second part covers regional and global maritime affairs, where the EU seeks to address global challenges through regional responses to key maritime hotspots both at home — in European sea basins, such as the Mediterranean and the Black Sea — and internationally, in the Gulf of Guinea, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea or Southeast Asia.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Maritime security strategy (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Innocent passage. The right of a vessel to pass through the territorial waters of another state under certain conditions.

Cross-sectoral approach. This involves the cooperation of all partners from civilian and military authorities (police, judiciary, border control, customs and fisheries inspection, environmental authorities, shipping supervision, research and innovation, navies) to industry (shipping, private security, communication technology, capability support, social partners).

Functional integrity. This focuses on assessing which of the specific functions or tasks that certain partners perform can be achieved better by working together with other partners.

Maritime multilateralism. A key principle when dealing with complex issues requiring international response and cooperation in the maritime domain. The idea is that the EU is stronger and its interests are best protected when speaking with one voice to international partners.

Respect for rules and principles. The EU promotes respect for international law, human rights and democracy, and full compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its goals as the key elements for rules-based good governance at sea.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Joint communication to the European Parliament and the Council — For an open and secure global maritime domain: elements for a European Union maritime security strategy (JOIN(2014) 9 final of 6.3.2014).

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