The Renew Europe Group welcomes today’s launch of the European Oceans Pact by the European Commission as a long-overdue strategic initiative to address the EU’s environmental, economic, and security challenges at sea. However, to succeed, the Pact must go beyond declarations and press conferences and become a fully resourced, actionable framework that integrates and elevates existing EU policies while closing critical gaps. The initiative, announced ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice (9–13 June), which will be attended by Renew Europe MEPs, is designed to place ocean governance more firmly on the EU agenda. The Oceans Pact must reflect the three strategic imperatives for this EU mandate: climate and environmental resilience, economic competitiveness, and European security. Europe is a maritime power, controlling the world's largest Exclusive Economic Zone and leading in shipping, offshore energy, and maritime innovation. This strength must now be translated into concrete governance, funding, and enforcement tools. MEP Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renaissance, France), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, said: “The Ocean Pact is a good start with a global, strategic approach to EU maritime policies that aligns with our priorities. However, the Pact's ambition is undermined by the lack of strong commitments. The Pact cannot remain a mere declaration of intent. It must become a genuine action plan with a clear roadmap backed by financial means and with the direct involvement of stakeholders and coastal communities. As Vice-Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, I will be attending the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, where the EU must assume its role as it has the world's largest maritime area and defend a major international agreement on the ocean.” MEP Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (Partido Nacionalista Vasco, Spain) reflected: "The oceans are vital for the health, sustainability and competitiveness of the planet. We want to leave the healthiest seas possible. And that means mitigating risks and also building on Europe's strengths. This pact is key for the competitiveness of our ports. They are critical and strategic infrastructures that play a fundamental role not only in logistics and international trade but also as energy hubs." MEP Ana Vasconcelos (Iniciativa Liberal, Portugal) added: “The forthcoming Ocean Pact must recognise that safeguarding ocean health is not merely an environmental concern, but an essential condition for prosperity and security. Europe’s competitiveness and quality of life hinge on the ocean both as a key climate regulator and as an avenue for trade. A system that ignores such a pillar of natural infrastructure fails to account for the true costs of inaction. Markets thrive on predictability and resilience—both of which are undermined by avoidable crises, from coastal floods to disruptions in critical undersea infrastructure. Long-term stability depends on bold action today.” Renew Europe urges the Commission and Member States to: Prioritise marine biodiversity protection, pollution control, and enforcement of EU environmental law; Align the Ocean Pact with the EU’s Climate Adaptation Strategy and ensure synergies with the Nature Restoration Law and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive;Deliver a European Agenda for a Sustainable Blue Economy that drives reindustrialisation, innovation, and port competitiveness;Launch a Green Ports Initiative to accelerate investment in clean, automated infrastructure, including onshore power supply and hydrogen;Secure Europe's maritime sovereignty and critical infrastructure, through enhanced EU naval cooperation, surveillance systems, and strategic use of overseas territories; Support international governance and partnerships to strengthen Europe’s leadership at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice and promote binding global agreements. The EU has the scientific capacity, industrial base and geographic reach to lead a global maritime transition. But leadership requires more than ambition, it demands investment, implementation, and inclusive governance. | 
