The EPP Group of the Committee of the Regions of the EU met today in Funchal at the invitation of Alberto Joao Jardim, President of Madeira Region, to debate with Joe Borg, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the regional perspective of the future EU maritime policy and the EPP contribution to the Green Paper defining new measures and action in this field. Economic growth and jobs, sustainable tourism, promotion of clusters, transport, environment, and the role of subsidiarity principle in the maritime governance were among the main topics discussed among the EPP/CoR members, representing local and regional authorities from all EU Member States.   “Regions and cities play a crucial role in Europe’s maritime policy. Europe has to achieve higher competitiveness in European coastal, outermost and island regions, while implementing a sustainable development,” stated Isidoro Gottardo, the President of the EPP/CoR Group.   Commissioner Borg stressed that Europe needs to bring the sea to its forefront. “Only through new integrated and innovative approach and better coordination and multiple interactions among partners, the effective integrated EU policy can be accomplished. We have to make all levels of government collectively responsible for achieving the best result.”   “Outermost regions, like Madeira, have to be fully associated to process of defining the future EU maritime policy. In order to promote greater cohesion for our regions, the EU has to facilitate greater accessibility, including easier circulation of goods and services”, called Mr Jardim on the European Commission.   The contribution of the EPP/CoR Group to the Green Paper on the maritime policy, recommends amongst others the development of Regional Ports which would attract new capital to regional coasts and would give the right incentives for the development of Motorways of the Sea, Short Sea Shipping lines and new infrastructure creating additional growth and jobs for the benefit of citizens in coastal regions.   “The future maritime policy will be supported by regional and local levels - stressed Luc van den Brande, 1^st Vice President of the Committee of the Regions – through implementing the future European legislation in line with the subsidiarity principle and taking concrete actions on the ground”. Funchal Declaration