CYPnaval 2015 Conference e-Booklet enhancing the protection of Blue Economy | Page 10

Given the interdependency of economies worldwide and the way the financial crisis is affecting,
through this interdependency, most of the world, Leaders in the Eastern Mediterranean area have to
consider how developments in our area can contribute both in recovering of the economy in the
countries of our region and in strengthening the efforts for enhancing the protection of Blue Economy.
However, our concern is not only limited to our near area. Upon Cyprus' accession to the European
Union, we have also displayed great interest to the much broader security issues of the entire European
Union. The Cyprus Presidency of the European Council during the second half of 2012 gave great
emphasis to the EU Integrated Maritime Policy (EU-IMP) which is an important tool in meeting the
objectives of Europe 2020 Strategy.
On 24 June 2014 the General Affairs Council of the European Union approved the “European Union
Maritime Security Strategy” (EUMSS), following the mandate by EU Heads of State or Government in
their ‘Defence Summit’. The EU Maritime Security Strategy is a foundation document based on the EU
Security Strategy and the Integrated Maritime Policy. Besides, last March the Steering Board of the
European Defence Agency noted the Agency’s activities in support of the EU Maritime Security Strategy
Action Plan.
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