Valletta Declaration calls for enhanced connectivity to islands

A newly-signed Valletta Declaration on the EU’s maritime transport policy has called for enhanced connectivity in maritime links for islands and peripheral and insular regions.

According to the declaration, connectivity requires reliable, frequent and sustainable maritime links, in order to bridge existing gaps, prevent isolation and offer equal growth opportunities for islands and outermost regions and peripheral and insular regions.

The Declaration, signed today by transport ministers from EU members states meeting in Valletta, outlined competitiveness, digitalisation and decarbonisation as priorities for the EU’s maritime transport policy for 2020.

It is envisaged to provide input and political direction towards a follow-up to the 2018 Maritime Strategy, which identified key areas of action by the EU to reinforce the competitiveness of the sector while enhancing its environmental performance.

The declaration also insisted on the need to boost the creation of a network of multimodal passageways connecting industrial, peripheral, insular and island areas. According to the declaration, these should featuring modern trans-shipment facilities, efficient and sustainable port infrastructure, automation trends and advanced technologies embedded in the appropriate regulatory and administrative framework.