A new strategy for the Atlantic to promote economic recovery

As rapporteur the Minister of the Presidency, Interior, Justice and Foreign Action, our member Paula Fernández Viaña, will propose projects in European regions for the development of the blue economy of the Atlantic, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing renewable energy, combating marine pollution, transport ecological and creation of new jobs in this area.

The new strategy will unite the regions of Spain, France, Ireland and Portugal and will include European programs to promote the economic recovery in this maritime area.

It’s main objective is to propose projects in European regions for the development of the blue economy of the Atlantic, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing renewable energy, combating marine pollution, transport ecological and creation of new jobs in this area. During the first Atlantic action plan, 1,200 maritime projects were launched with almost 6,000 million euros of European investment from structural and investment funds. This shows the importance of defining in this opinion the demands and priorities of European regions and local authorities, argues Fernández Viaña.

Atlantic Action Plan

Regarding the Atlantic Action Plan, Fernández Viaña advanced that, with the support of the Cantabria Government Office in Brussels, she will create a working group made up of experts in different areas in order to present a report that reflects the interests of Cantabria and the rest of the Atlantic maritime regions .

As members of the Atlantic Arc Commission, we will involve the rest of the Atlantic regions in the preparation of this report, as well as entities and experts that in Cantabria can contribute interesting ideas

This renewed Atlantic action plan contributes to the European Green Deal, a socially inclusive model of sustainable development and job creation, while safeguarding marine and coastal environments and ensuring a healthy ocean

Recovery plan and demographic challenge

Paula Fernández Viaña also defended that the funds of the European Recovery Plan pay special attention to rural areas and are allocated to projects that prevent their depopulation.

A European strategy is necessary for the economic reactivation of the most depopulated areas and the funds of the recovery plan must be used to consolidate the adequate provision of services in the fields of health, education, social services, care for dependency, connectivity to reduce the digital divide between rural and urban areas, of basic supplies and mobility in our rural areas.

For the Government of Cantabria, which has made the fight for the demographic challenge one of its priorities in the current legislature, the funds from the European Recovery Plan offer an opportunity to alleviate the problems that the pandemic has exacerbated in rural areas.

See also: https://reneweurope-cor.eu/cantabrialeadsregionalaction/

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