Towards a new maritime strategy

The UK delegation submitted a note suggesting that the cost of maritime infrastructures (such as navigation aids) should be transferred from the budgets of the Member States to those users who benefited from the services being provided, and that such a system should be set up for the entire EU area. After an initial exchange of views, which highlighted the different opinions that existed as regards the opportunities presented by such a strategy and its consequences, the presidency announced that the UK proposal would be discussed in greater detail as part of the Council examination of the communication.