PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2010/631/EU concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

BACKGROUND: the Mediterranean coastal zones continue to experience severe environmental pressure and degradation of coastal resources.

The Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution, which was subsequently renamed as the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (the Barcelona Convention) was concluded on behalf of the European Community by the Council in Decisions 77/585/EEC and 1999/802/EC.

In accordance with the Barcelona Convention, the Contracting Parties shall commit themselves to promote the integrated management of the coastal zones, taking into account the protection of areas of ecological and landscape interest and the rational use of natural resources.

By Decision 2009/89/EC of 4 December 2008, the Council signed the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Barcelona Convention (the ICZM Protocol) on behalf of the Community, subject to the subsequent conclusion of the ICZM Protocol at a later date.

CONTENT: this Decision concludes, on behalf of the EU, the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

The ICZM Protocol provides a framework to stimulate a more concerted and integrated approach , involving public and private stakeholders including civil society and economic operators. Such an inclusive approach, based on best available scientific observation and knowledge, is required to achieve a more sustainable development of the Mediterranean coastal zones.

While it is appropriate for the Union to act in support of integrated coastal zone management, bearing in mind, inter alia, the cross-border nature of most environmental problems, the Member States and their relevant competent authorities will be responsible for the design and implementation on the coastal territory of certain detailed measures laid down in the ICZM Protocol, such as the establishment of zones where construction is not allowed .

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision shall enter into force on 23October 2010. The date of entry into force of the ICZM Protocol shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Decision 2010/631
OJ L 279 23.10.2010, p. 0001

COM(2010)0030

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution in which its gives its consent to the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

T7-0249/2010

A7-0191/2010

A7-0191/2010

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report drafted by Jo LEINEN (S&D, DE) recommending that the European Parliament give its consent to the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

PURPOSE: to conclude , on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

LEGAL BASE: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

BACKGROUND: the Mediterranean coastal zones continue to experience severe environmental pressure and degradation of coastal resources.

To recall, the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution, which was subsequently renamed as the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (the Barcelona Convention) was concluded on behalf of the European Community by the Council in Decisions 77/585/EEC and 1999/802/EC.

In accordance with the Barcelona Convention, the Contracting Parties shall commit themselves to promote the integrated management of the coastal zones, taking into account the protection of areas of ecological and landscape interest and the rational use of natural resources.

By Decision 2009/89/EC of 4 December 2008, the Council signed the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Barcelona Convention (the ICZM Protocol) on behalf of the Community, subject to the subsequent conclusion of the ICZM Protocol at a later date.

CONTENT: this aim of this proposal is to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

The ICZM Protocol provides a framework to stimulate a more concerted and integrated approach, involving public and private stakeholders including civil society and economic operators. Such an inclusive approach, based on best available scientific observation and knowledge, is required to achieve a more sustainable development of the Mediterranean coastal zones.

While it is appropriate for the Union to act in support of integrated coastal zone management, bearing in mind, inter alia, the cross-border nature of most environmental problems, the Member States and their relevant competent authorities will be responsible for the design and implementation on the coastal territory of certain detailed measures laid down in the ICZM Protocol, such as the establishment of zones where construction is not allowed.

Lastly, it should be noted that following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Union notified the Government of Spain as regards the European Union having replaced and succeeded the European Community.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implications for the budget of the Union.

09132/2010

PURPOSE: to conclude , on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

LEGAL BASE: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

BACKGROUND: the Mediterranean coastal zones continue to experience severe environmental pressure and degradation of coastal resources.

To recall, the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution, which was subsequently renamed as the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (the Barcelona Convention) was concluded on behalf of the European Community by the Council in Decisions 77/585/EEC and 1999/802/EC.

In accordance with the Barcelona Convention, the Contracting Parties shall commit themselves to promote the integrated management of the coastal zones, taking into account the protection of areas of ecological and landscape interest and the rational use of natural resources.

By Decision 2009/89/EC of 4 December 2008, the Council signed the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Barcelona Convention (the ICZM Protocol) on behalf of the Community, subject to the subsequent conclusion of the ICZM Protocol at a later date.

CONTENT: this aim of this proposal is to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

The ICZM Protocol provides a framework to stimulate a more concerted and integrated approach, involving public and private stakeholders including civil society and economic operators. Such an inclusive approach, based on best available scientific observation and knowledge, is required to achieve a more sustainable development of the Mediterranean coastal zones.

While it is appropriate for the Union to act in support of integrated coastal zone management, bearing in mind, inter alia, the cross-border nature of most environmental problems, the Member States and their relevant competent authorities will be responsible for the design and implementation on the coastal territory of certain detailed measures laid down in the ICZM Protocol, such as the establishment of zones where construction is not allowed.

Lastly, it should be noted that following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Union notified the Government of Spain as regards the European Union having replaced and succeeded the European Community.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implications for the budget of the Union.

09132/2010

PE440.161

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

CONTENT: the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean, also known as the "Barcelona Convention", was initially signed on 16 February 1976 in Barcelona and amended on 10 June 1995. It came into force on 9 July 2004. The European Union is Contracting Party to the Convention, as are all EU Mediterranean coastal Member States. In accordance with the amended Convention, Parties are specifically obliged to promote integrated coastal zone management, taking into account the protection of areas of ecological and landscape interest and the rational use of natural resources.

In the EU, the main instrument promoting Integrated Coastal Zone Management is the European Parliament and Council Recommendation 2002/413/EC concerning the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe. Chapter V of the Recommendation stresses the importance of cooperation in regional seas to achieve better coordination and responses to cross-border coastal issues.

The European Union promotes integrated management on a larger scale by means of horizontal instruments, including in the field of environmental protection, and by developing a sound science base for it, through its research programs. These activities therefore also contribute to integrated coastal zone management. Integrated Coastal Zone Management is one component of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management is one component of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy .

A Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean (the ICZM Protocol) drawn up in the context of the Barcelona Convention was approved on behalf of the European Community, subject to subsequent conclusion at a later date by the Council Decision 2009/89/EC.

The Mediterranean coastal zones continue to experience high pressures on the environment and degradation of coastal resources. The ICZM Protocol provides a framework to stimulate a more concerted and integrated approach, involving public and private stakeholders including civil society and economic operators. Such an inclusive approach, based on best available scientific observation and knowledge, is required to address these problems more effectively and achieve a more sustainable development of the Mediterranean coastal zones

The ICZM Protocol covers a broad range of provisions which will need to be implemented by different levels of administration taking the subsidiarity and proportionality principles into account. While it is appropriate for the European Union to act in support of integrated coastal zone management, bearing in mind, inter alia, the cross-border nature of most environmental problems, the Member States and their relevant competent authorities will be responsible for the design and implementation on the coastal territory of certain detailed measures laid down in the ICZM Protocol, such as the establishment of zones where construction is not allowed.

In view of the above, it is appropriate for the European Union to conclude the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean.

COM(2010)0030
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