Supervisors info:
Δρ. Λέκκας Ε. ,Καθηγητής Τμήμ. Γεωλογίας και Γεωπεριβάλλοντος ΕΚΠΑ
Δρ. Λόζιος Σ. Επικ. Καθηγητής Τμήμ. Γεωλογίας και Γεωπεριβάλλοντος ΕΚΠΑ
Σπύρος Μπλαβούκος
Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής
Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Οικονομικών Σπουδών
Οικονομικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Επιστημονικός συνεργάτης Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών
Summary:
Maritime Security is a shared need for the welfare and prosperity of the European Union and the world. The seas cultivate growth and provide key environmental services. Their security is part of the foundation on which the European Union is built. The EU has developed a progressive Maritime Security Strategy to protect these sea-related interests. It is based on improving cooperation across borders and sectors to enhance stability, rule of law and good governance across the global maritime domain. Maritime security is to be included into all strategic policy areas. An integrated approach and joint response generate a better environment for stability and development, improving both effectiveness and efficiency. The EU is engaged in the prevention of conflicts and safeguard of peace, also rule of law as 90% of the international trade is maritime. EU supports the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources. The EU is concerned for the protection of its people, infrastructures and activities while 50% of the EU population and GDP are in maritime regions. Furthermore 400 million passengers pass through EU ports and harbours each year. The EU is interested in controlling its maritime external borders (>90,000 Km) in order to prevent illegal crossing by immigrants and refugees. All Member States’ Exclusive Economic Zones collectively form the world’s largest EEZ (20 Mkm2), the EU’s EEZ, which has to be clearly declared and where this is not the case, EU should intervene towards a lawful resolution, recognised by all Member States, allies and partners. The EU needs to ensure global supply chains, safety and freedom of navigation, as 30% of vessels worldwide and more than 42% of value of seaborne trade are managed by EU ship- owners. The EU is paying attention to the sustainability and protection of maritime wildlife and the prevention of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing as more than 15% of global catches are plundered by pirate fishing and leading to economic loss from global fisheries due to mismanagement. Apart from the above mentioned interests of EU, there are transnational maritime threats that have to be confronted, such as, the proliferation of weapons, the territorial disputes and armed conflicts, the piracy and armed robbery, the natural disasters and climate change, the pollution and environmental impact, the terrorism and other intentional unlawful acts, organised crime and trafficking and finally all conditions that weaken order in the maritime domain and the potential for growth. This master thesis analyses the European Maritime Security Strategy, seeks the original reasons that led to the need of shaping it and develops its principles and objectives. Its implementation is presented and finally an attempt is being made to evaluate the achievements, locate the challenges and investigate whether the mechanisms already set up provide the expected results. The possibilities for development, improvement, as well as prospects for the expansion of the cooperation of the member states within the framework of the maritime security strategy is being examined. The role of Greece is also referred, because of its geostrategic location, its function as a buffer between EU and Turkey, hosting the migratory flows from the East, and its dominant maritime power in global shipping despite its financial weaknesses.
Other subject categories:
Social, Political and Economic sciences
Keywords:
European Union Maritime Security Strategy, EUMSS, Crises management strategies, Law of the Sea, Maritime surveillance
