Atlantic Arc and Macro Regions

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ATLANTIC ARC

MACRO

REGIONS

DRA response to the survey on a proposal for an Atlantic Arc Strategy - January 2010

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CPMR-Technical Note of Atlantic Arc Commission on an Integrated Strategy for the Atlantic Arc

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Association of Irish Regions - Response to the public consultation on a proposal for a Commission communication on an Integrated Maritime Policy for the Atlantic Ocean Sea Basin - October 2010

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Association of Irish Regions - Response to the proposal for an Integrated Strategy for the Atlantic Arc - July 2010

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Several macro-regions are being identified throughout the European territory, covering large areas across national borders. The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region was the first to be devised and the European Commission has begun preparations on a Danube Strategy, with others expected in the coming years.

There is no standard definition for a macro-region, except that of “an area including territory from a number of different countries or regions associated with one or more common features or challenges (DG Regional Policy)” However, the development of macro-regional strategies in the EU ultimately seeks added-value outcomes for each participant region in a number of areas based on a commonality of priorities. For example, the Baltic Sea Strategy emerged with the strategic vision to make this region more (i) Prosperous (ii) Accessible and Attractive (iii) Environmentally Sustainable and (iv) Safe and Secure.

The Spanish Presidency of the European Union (First 6 months 2010) advocated the Atlantic Arc as the next macro-region upon which the EU should focus and consequently, has called for the development of an 'Atlantic Arc' Strategy for cooperation between Western Europe's maritime countries of France, Portugal, Ireland, Spain and the UK.

The Association of Irish Regions (AIR) welcomes any discussion which provides Irish regions with further opportunities to co-operate with regions within the EU and wider afield, especially having regard to the new and emerging economic global challenges we all face. Furthermore, the development of an integrated strategy for the Atlantic Arc is a very relevant concept given the island status of Ireland. The geographic nature of the Atlantic Arc (from the northern tip of Ireland/UK to the southern most part of Spain/Portugal) requires further consideration as to the rationale and added value of a future Integrated Strategy for the Atlantic Arc and AIR suggests that full Irish participation should meet a number of essential aspects, namely:

1.A clearly described outline of the added-value to participating regions of implementing this macro-regional strategy within the regions;

2.A focus on a limited number of common priorities, with specific objectives, actions and a clearly measurable suite of indicators to enable benchmarking of performance against prescribed aims;

3.A multi-level governance approach, taking full account of previous co-operation initiatives in the Atlantic Arc and experience gained thus far from the development and implementation of other EU macro-regional integrated strategies; and

4.The need to ensure synergies within and between EU policy instruments and national provisions (including a discussion on funding sources).

For more information on the Atlantic Arc please click here. This link directs you to a technical paper on an integrated strategy for the Atlantic Arc which was prepared by the Atlantic Arc Commission of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR).