Dear UBC Friends!

  The rapid growth of maritime transport, environmental threats and climate change consequences are the greatest challenges of the European seas. If we had left the problems to be solved by the national authorities only, probably they would not have succeeded. The multidimensional nature of the maritime issues evidently calls for an integrated approach and involvement of the other actors: regions and cities.

  The process of creation of the European Maritime Policy has started on 10 October 2007. The EU's integrated maritime policy focuses on i.e. maximising the sustainable use of the oceans and seas, building a knowledge and innovation base for maritime policy, delivering the highest quality of life in coastal regions, promoting Europe's leadership in international maritime affairs, and raising the visibility of Maritime Europe.

  The works of the EU Commissions were accompanied by the broad stakeholder consultations in which the UBC took part. The Union believes that regions and cities have a pivotal role in the maritime policy. While the common European policy must be monitored and put into practice by the European institutions and the Member States, the cities and regions are the key actors in the implementation and securing good governance of this policy.

  This issue of the Bulletin clearly shows that the cities' contribution in the maritime policy is invaluable. The experiences described in the articles prove that effective organization of the policy depends on development of tools for collective learning and linkages between ports, cities, networks and partnerships. Sharing and exchanging best practices have become a standard among the UBC cities. The question of sustainability is a critical one but not left behind the development. All our members are aware of existing threats and work individually or cooperate within the projects to diminish the environmental risks. Moreover, today many of them are able to transform the problem into resource, e.g. the Trelleborg concept.

  The ports and port cities as a part of the worldwide logistics chain are especially confronted with problems undermining their good functioning. Modernization and infrastructure investments are necessary not only due to the economic competitiveness but also environmental reasons. Finally, the maritime tourism is seen as an enormous potential by the UBC coastal members. However, poorly developed infrastructure still prevents the cities to use their all possibilities. The key task for our cities is to strike the right balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.

  2009 will be an especially challenging year. In parallel with the advance of the Maritime Action Plan the preparation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea is in progress. Do they meet our expectations? Do they bring the planned results?

  With Baltic Seagreetings,

Per Bodker Andersen President of UBC	Kolding, November 2008