G
reece, always as part of the EU presi-
dency, is taking an initiative for the pro-
tection of the marine environment, espe-
cially in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, as well as in
the rest of the East Mediterranean, also intending
to highlight the maritime space’s potential of act-
ing as a driver of growth and job creation.
In this sense, the “blue economy”, which is one of
the priorities of the Greek presidency, can provide
an important intersectoral platform for developing
innovative maritime job creation initiatives and
synergies among co-existing uses of the sea, i.e.
tourism, fishing and shipping.
The main objectives of the Ministry for the
Environment include the Promotion of Growth and
Jobs, through the promotion of the goals of the
Integrated Maritime Policy, the enhancement of the
competitiveness of European businesses, includ-
ing small and medium-sized enterprises, the estab-
lishment of a common European policy on energy
issues, emphasizing on energy sufficiency, as well
as increasing the use of renewable energy sources
and turning Europe into a major tourist destination.
At the same time, the Ministry is looking into
methods for more effectively promoting the new
package of legislative proposals on climate and
energy – and, in particular, the thorny issue of set-
ting the European Union’s ambitious target
regarding the reduction of Greenhouse gas emis-
sions by 2030.
This issue is expected to be discussed by the
heads of EU member-states during the March
2014 Summit that will be held under the Greek
presidency.
It is worth noting that the 2020 target regarding
Renewable Energy Sources proved effective in
accelerating RES penetration, so the setting of a
new target for 2030 should be carefully assessed.
Trade with Greece
116
The Greek Presidency
of 2014 and the
“Blue Economy”
The “Blue Economy” is one of the key priorities of the
Greek presidency, according to the Ministry for the
Environment, Energy and Climate Change. This is a
new concept of concern for Greece and, obviously,
the Greek presidency, since the greatest challenge is
to maximize maritime and shipping cooperation among
Mediterranean countries, with the aim of promoting
growth and job creation opportunities, within the
scope of environmental protection.
By Panayotis Efthimiades
