Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, and distinguished guests,
It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of purpose that I address you today, here on the beautiful Balearic Island of Mallorca.
This island is representative of both the abundant opportunities and the significant challenges that coastal and island communities across Europe face.
This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart, as I, too, come from an island, Cyprus.
So, allow me to first thank the organisers of this conference for their vision in organising this important event where we can share our experiences and best practices of how to keep our island communities thriving.
Ladies and gentlemen, our shared commitment to these vital areas is guided by the European Ocean Pact, a framework designed to better protect our ocean, support a thriving blue economy, and improve the lives of those residing in coastal areas.
The European Ocean Pact, adopted last June, is more than a collection of policies; it shows our shared to ensure a sustainable future for our ocean and seas and the communities closely connected to them. At the heart of this pact is a pillar focused on addressing the specific needs and opportunities of coastal and island communities.
It is there because we recognise that achieving the goals of the pact requires not only high-level strategic planning, but also engaging and empowering local communities, who can be the driving force behind transforming the ideals of the Ocean Pact into tangible realities. And because these communities risk losing the most due to inaction.
EU coastal communities hold great potential for development. They are rich in culture, biodiversity, and economic vitality and offer vast opportunities for growth. Yet they also face significant challenges, including climate change and economic diversification pressures.
In response, I wish to reiterate the EUs commitment to stepping up its support to these vital areas through a coherent strategy focused on unlocking their potential and addressing long-standing challenges.
This is where our new Strategy for Coastal Communities comes in. It was designed to promote an EU-wide approach to our coastal communities and will be closely aligned to the EU Strategy on Islands. I am honoured to work alongside Executive Vice President Fitto to ensure these strategies complement each other and address the unique challenges that our islands and coastal territories face.
In particular, with the Strategy on Islands, the Commission responds to the long-standing calls by island stakeholders to step up support for these territories, including highlighted in several resolutions over recent years.
There are many synergies to be exploited between the challenges facing islands and other coastal areas, such as on the development of the blue economy, improving coastal-insular connectivity and coastal resilience.
I am glad to see many representatives of the fisheries sector today, an essential for livelihoods on our islands. I look forward to hearing about your experiences, particularly about the successful of fisheries co-management approach. I have seen its effectiveness in preserving marine ecosystems and supporting livelihoods in many of my visits around the Mediterranean.
Prioritising sustainable fishing is not just an option; it is an essential balance between economic prosperity and ecological responsibility, ensuring the continued health and diversity of our ocean.
Given these complexities, I warmly invite you to contribute to developing our upcoming strategies on islands and coastal communities. Your insights, experiences, and local knowledge are crucial to embedding the unique challenges of these territories into broader EU policies, aligning them with the priorities of the European Ocean Pact.
We will launch a call for evidence later this month to promote comprehensive dialogue and stakeholder engagement. Then we will organise sessions and discussions during the next European Ocean Days on 6 March. This will be a platform to engage, discuss strategies and co-create actionable plans that can a blueprint for sustainable development.
Our intention is clear: to build strategies that reflect local realities and aspirations, while supporting the overarching aims of the European Ocean Pact. Our goal is to protect our ocean, while promoting sustainable economic practices where the blue economy flourishes alongside environmental stewardship. This approach will foster resilient communities that are active participants in shaping their destinies and benefitting as a result.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we stand at this pivotal moment, lets seize the opportunity to commit to a shared vision. A vision where coastal and island communities not only survive but thrive. A vision where their unique identities are cherished, their environments protected, and their economies diversified and resilient.
If we work together, we can create a legacy that future generations can be proud of. A legacy built on respect for our environment, inclusive economic growth, and unwavering support for communities championing sustainability.
Those of us who have had the pleasure of living on an island know that islands offer beautiful surroundings and distinctive way of life. Unsurprisingly, they attract visitors from all over the world, bringing prosperity: Preserve this prosperity and environment is the real challenge. Lets afront it!