Commissioner Damanaki and Greek minister Katseli discuss further integration of Maritime Policy

Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime affairs and fisheries, and Louka Katseli, Greek Minster for Economy, shipping and competitiveness, met today In Brussels to explore how the Integrated Maritime Policy being developed at EU-level could contribute to ongoing national initiatives in Greece as regard Maritime affairs and to identify tangible synergies that could lead to a National Strategy for an Integrated Maritime Policy in Greece, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to EC.

Special attention was given to the development of maritime clusters involving private sector interests both in ship building and shipping. Commissioner Damanaki and Minister Katseli agreed that further work can be done to encourage the exchange of best practices in the development of an integrated approach for maritime affairs including maritime spatial planning with special attention to the development of aquaculture in Greece.

"I believe that Greece can play a leading role in the development of the European Maritime policy" Maria Damanaki said after the meeting.