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CPMR > Our objectives
The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions is independent of EU institutions.
In the interest of its member regions, it is:
TACKLING THE DISADVANTAGES ENCOUNTERED BY EUROPE'S PERIPHERY
There are considerable differences in levels of development across Europe. Regions located far from the centre of Europe suffer from their peripheral situation, whether they are maritime or not.
This is why the CPMR is pushing for EU policies to promote balanced territorial development.
For more information :
- A two speed Europe ?
The blue banana and the European Pentagon are just two of the terms used for describing the concentration of people and wealth in the centre of Europe. This area covers 14% of EU territory, but accounts for 32% of the population and produces 46% of EU GDP.
It has the best R&D, training and transport infrastructure, but also attracts the most social and environmental problems.
Over the last thirty years, the CPMR has therefore been working to propose an alternative to this spontaneous concentration of activity by developing the peripheries.
PROMOTING EUROPE'S MARITIME DIMENSION
Despite having 68,000 km of coastline, Europe turns its back on the sea. The maritime dimension is still too frequently perceived from a national perspective and dealt with via sectoral policies such as fisheries, transport, the environment, etc...
The CPMR calls for an ambitious European vision based on an integrated approach.
This would bring sustained growth to maritime regions in particular, but also to Europe as a whole.
For more information :
EXPLOITING THE BENEFITS OF BEING CLOSE TO EUROPE'S CITIZENS
Each European region has its own set of realities. However, they benefit from :
- closeness to their population and, in many cases, democratic legitimacy,
- an intimate understanding of the territory and its economy.
This makes them key players in development. This is why the CPMR is lobbying EU institutions to involve the regions in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies which concern them.
For more information :
Making the voice of the regions heard in a global world
Regions currently find themselves faced with demands from two sides:
- their populations and economic fabrics, which express their hopes and concerns with regard to the effects of an irreversible and escalating globalisation process; - States and the international institutions, which deem that the regional tier constitutes a new strategic level for organising development activities.
No central government is capable alone of responding to such a huge challenge. Decentralising globalisation is the only alternative that allows everyone in his or her area of life, civilisation and culture, to be a player in the process.
This is why the CPMR, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, is keen to shape and promote a regional dimension for development strategies within States and continental or sub-continental groupings.
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