The President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, was appointed rapporteur for the Committee of the Region's report on the new strategy developed by EU Commission for growth and employment in the Coastal and Maritime Tourism sector.

This appointment of Vasco Cordeiro that took place in Brussels represents another step in assertion and presence of the Azores within Community institutions. It will influence the position of the Committee of the Region on an EU Commission's initiative of relevant interest to the Azores.

For the President of the Government, this matter is of particular importance to the Azores, taking into account the potential and the conditions of the Region to become a national reference in the field of maritime tourism, which will have a positive impact on employment creation and wealth generation.

The new European Strategy for Coastal and Maritime Tourism proposes various actions and measures so that the European Union, but also the States, Regions and companies, may strengthen the position of the sector as a driving force for the so-called "blue economy."

Submitted in February by the European Commission, the strategy for Coastal and Maritime Tourism falls under the Integrated Maritime Policy and Commission's communication on "blue growth"; the latter considered maritime tourism as a priority intervention sector within the European Union given its contribution to European economy as well as for its great potential for sustainable growth and employment creation.

Vasco Cordeiro's report will be analysed and voted on at the Commission of Natural Resources of the Committee of the Regions that will meet in Ponta Delgada on June 5 at the invitation of the President of the Government. It will also be presented at the plenary session of that EU body for final approval in October.

The Committee of the Regions is an advisory body that represents local and regional authorities of the European Union. It is currently composed of 353 members from 28 member states.