Speech by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira for the Seminar on Macro-regional strategies: a new strategic framework for European territorial cooperation

Dear president of Cantabria, dear Mrs Sáenz de Buruaga,

Dear Minister,

Dear friends of Cohesion,

I am pleased to address this important event on the very topical issue of territorial cooperation. This is the very essence of the European project: promoting cooperation, building bridges and breaking barriers across borders. This is also a core task of Cohesion policy, which makes it a key pillar of European integration.

Macro Regional Strategies have a particular place in the promotion of territorial cooperation. They are platforms for joint action uniting different countries, different regions, that face common challenges, often associated with a shared geographical feature.

Europe's geography is very diverse, you all know it it is a peninsula of peninsulas. One common trait for many of these peninsulas is being bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic is part of Europe's identity, culture, heritage, history and also of its prosperity. In recognition of its key importance the Commission adopted an Atlantic Maritime Strategy in 2011 for a more ambitious, open and effective cooperation in the Atlantic Ocean Area.

Since then, impressive results have been achieved. This Commission has given the Strategy a further impetus when in 2020 it adopted a revised Atlantic Action Plan.

In 2020-22 alone, more than 3.3 billion euros of European funds supported investments in more than 1000 projects.

The Strategy has contributed to the European Green Deal, promoting healthy coasts and a healthy ocean.

And the Strategy has contributed to international cooperation in research and innovation, with the Galway and Belem Statements between the European Union and the United States, Canada, South Africa and Brazil.

The Hylantic project brought together 26 partners for the generation and supply of hydrogen. Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.

And the Cleanatlantic project brought together 19 partners to tackle an important issue: marine litter.

In fact, it is notable just how many partners have been brought together by this strategy: local and regional partners, as we see here today; European partners, from the European Parliament, Horizon Europe, and the European Investment Bank.

Given all these successes, and the distinguished track record, I appreciate and understand the impetus to create a Macro-regional Strategy for the Atlantic Sea area.

Opportunities still exist in the blue and green economy notably. The challenges of ocean conservation, and the need for climate adaptation, are ever more present, and synergies can be exploited well beyond this immediate maritime domain.

As someone who is committed and supports territorial cooperation and understands the need for closer synergies between Atlantic regions, let me share with you 3 key reflections for such a Macro-regional Strategy to be a success.

First, value added compared to the current Sea-basin Strategy.

Experience has shown that the development of a Macro-Regional Strategy requires significant political, administrative and financial investment from the countries concerned.

In considering this, you should bear in mind not just the existing Sea-basin Strategy, but the fact that it could be broadened to include new priorities, for example, in the fields of energy, and accessibility.

Therefore, it is important to demonstrate clear and concrete benefits of a new Macro-regional Strategy compared to an enhanced Sea-basin Strategy. It is also key to show political ownership and leadership at all governance levels to fully tap this cooperation potential.

Secondly, how can a new Macro-Regional Strategy retain the strengths of the current strategy?

Experience shows that there are additional challenges in setting up a Macro-regional Strategy, where there are existing coordination and cooperation structures.

Overlapping processes and structures create a burden.

The well-functioning structures, that already exist in the Atlantic region, must be the foundation of any future arrangements. Moreover, there needs to be a close operative and functional link between the content and priorities of any future Strategy and the Interreg programmes that already are covering the Atlantic area.

And this brings me to the third reflection: how best to create a convincing roadmap, which mobilises the necessary resources in the long term?

This starts by convincing a critical mass of partners, including key partners and stakeholders at the Member State level. This also means civil society organisations, small and medium companies and young people who should be active in the design and future governance of any Strategy.

In addition, Macro-regional Strategies also have a significant participation from non-EU partner countries. This can be an opportunity to reach out to neighbouring countries, including the United Kingdom, and involve them in a joint framework of action, provided that there is such interest and political will.

And since the setting up of a Macro-regional Strategy requires significant capacity and mobilisation of resources, there needs to be a commitment to invest in the long term and to maintain the momentum for as long as it takes.

Any strategy is only as good as the effort one puts in its implementation.

Let me conclude. You are the strength of Cohesion Policy and the engine of territorial cooperation. It is your ideas, your energy and your motivation which has made the bottom-up approach of the policy such a success.

I challenge you to draw on your experience:

First, in fact, to sum up, to demonstrate the added value of a Macro-regional Strategy vis-a-vis what we have, or an enhanced Sea-basin Strategy.

Second, to show how the benefits of the current arrangements will be preserved, kept.

And third, to build a broad consensus, of partners willing to invest, in the long term, to make a Macro-regional Strategy work.

I hope the Atlantic winds of Cantabria will inspire your discussions and take you closer to your, our, final destination.

Thank you, muchas gracias, obrigada!