The European Council has adopted resolutions on the EU’s intention to expand its role as a global maritime security provider.
The EU relies on safe, clean, and secure oceans and seas for all types of activities. This is why the EU and its Member states have made maritime security a top priority.
The Council highlighted that climate change and environmental degradation have increasing implications for international stability, including maritime security and maritime infrastructure, which calls for a swift and coordinated response.
In the face of developing disruptive technologies, the Council emphasized the importance of improving cybersecurity across all maritime sectors and stepping up efforts to boost resilience against cyber-attacks.
In this regard, the Council underlined that maritime security should be addressed as part of the Strategic Compass, helping to further develop the unified European security and defense culture.
The Council applauded the development of the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE) for maritime surveillance and requested that the Commission continue to work with the Member States and relevant EU agencies to develop this initiative.
It is highlighted that the EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS) and its revised action plan contributing directly to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the European Green Deal, the EU Global Strategy, the EU’s International Ocean Governance Agenda, and other initiatives.
The Council backed the full implementation of the pilot case of the Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) concept in the Gulf of Guinea and is also committed to strengthening partnerships with international organizations, such as the United Nations (UN), NATO, and other regional partners, in order to secure free and peaceful use of the global maritime domain.
The Council resolutions on maritime security follow the revised European Union Maritime Security Strategy Action Plan of 2018.
