European Parliament
Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris  (PPE ),
in writing.
(IT)
The macro-regional strategy for the Baltic Sea was adopted in 2009 and was clearly of interest to the Commission, because this new way of cooperating aims to open up a new area for cohesion policy in Europe, the goal being territorial-based development. This strategy seeks to heal the divisions historically created by borders, thereby furthering the integration of new Member States and their regions. Such a macro-regional approach would enable an overall project of Union cooperation to be set out with a view to emerging from the present crisis and offering a concrete response to our neighbours, particularly those in the southern Mediterranean. By voting in favour, therefore, I uphold the importance of territorial cooperation projects, as they would enhance synergies with the major EU strategies, such as the trans-European transport network or the integrated maritime policy.

