PURPOSE: to establish a programme to support the further development on an Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP).
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) No 1255/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Programme to support the further development of an Integrated Maritime Policy.
CONTENT: following a first-reading agreement reached with the European Parliament, the Council adopted a regulation establishing an EU programme to further promote the development and the implementation of the EU's integrated maritime policy. The Union's Integrated Maritime Policy shall foster coordinated and coherent decision-making to maximise the sustainable development, economic growth and social cohesion of Member States, in particular with regard to coastal, insular and outermost regions in the Union, as well as maritime sectors, through coherent maritime-related policies and relevant international cooperation.
General objectives of the programme: the programme, which will support the sustainable use of the seas and oceans, and the expansion of scientific knowledge, has the following general objectives:
For each general objective, more detailed operational objectives are defined.
Financial envelope: the financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme shall be set at EUR 40 000 000 for the period from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013. This amount shall be broken down as follows:
Up to 1% of the financial envelope may also cover necessary expenditure relating to any preparatory action, monitoring, control, audit or evaluation directly necessary in order to implement eligible actions under this Regulation effectively and efficiently and to achieve its objectives.
Reporting, evaluation and extension: the Commission shall regularly and promptly inform the European Parliament and the Council about its work. It shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council: (a) a progress report no later than 31 December 2012; the progress report shall include an evaluation of the Programme's impact on other Union policies;
(b) an ex-post evaluation report no later than 31 December 2014. If appropriate, the Commission shall submit a legislative proposal on the extension of the Programme beyond 2013 with an appropriate financial envelope.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 06/12/2011.