Integrated Maritime Policy for the Mediterranean: Regional activities to be coordinated from Tunis

The new project “Integrated Maritime Policy for the Mediterranean” (IMP-MED) funded by the EU in the framework of the Euromed Transport programme has opened its regional office in Tunis, from which all project activities will be coordinated. A press release said the project, funded with a budget of €1.5 million, seeks to promote an integrated approach to maritime issues in the Mediterranean. The project’s main task is to provide support to states interested in developing a national integrated maritime policy and identification of coordinated actions in the maritime sector at the regional level. These countries could then benefit from EU support, in particular in actions implemented under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). 

Launched in November 2010, the IMP-MED project aims at improving the governance of maritime affairs in the Mediterranean basin and seeks to establish an agreed framework in this field in cooperation with Southern partner countries, namely Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Israel and Syria.

Tunisia participates actively in this process and was present at the first regional meeting IMP-MED held in Athens, Greece, in April. During this meeting, the EU and the 9 Mediterranean partner countries set the objective of identifying the specific needs of each country for the new Integrated Maritime Policy in the Mediterranean and to outline together the next steps for the implementation of the project. 

The Euromed Transport project aims to assist the implementation of the Regional Transport Action Plan (RTAP) for the Mediterranean (2007-2013), contributing to the establishment of an integrated, efficient, safe and secure transport system in the region, recognised as a key factor for the development and stability and the increase of intra-regional trade. Specifically, it seeks to pursue the modernisation and strengthening of administrative capacities, improve infrastructure networks, ensuring technical and administrative interoperability, to mobilise national, regional and international sources of funding, and to enhance safety and security, especially in road and maritime sectors.