EU Maritime Security Strategy

The European Union's Maritime Security Strategy, first adopted in June 2014, is acknowledged as a significant achievement of the Greek Presidency (first semester of 2014), as it expands the definition of maritime security to encompass aspects beyond defense, such as development, employment, and energy security. The Strategy pertains to both the internal and external dimensions of the EU’s maritime security, adopting a cross-sectoral approach with the goal of achieving the highest possible level of security, while also promoting the economic interests of the Union as well as those of its Member States at sea. An Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy was adopted in December 2014 and later updated in 2018. Together, the two documents provide a comprehensive framework for addressing threats and challenges at sea, such as unlawful activities, competition over natural resources, as well as threats to the freedom of navigation.

In October 2023, both the Strategy and its Action Plan were revised to address new and evolving threats and challenges in the maritime domain, including hybrid and cyber-attacks against maritime infrastructures and environmental degradation. The revised Strategy is structured around six core objectives and translates into approximately 150 actions within the framework of the relevant Action Plan.

Greece played a constructive role in formulating these objectives, with some of them being of particular Greek interest, relating to: a) combating threats and illegal activities at sea, such as piracy, human trafficking, illegal fishing, as well as unauthorized exploration in the EEZ and the continental shelf of the EU Member States, b) enhancing cooperation with third countries and organizations to support fundamental international rules, primarily, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and c) increasing the resilience and protection of critical maritime infrastructures, such as natural gas pipelines, submarine cables, ports, offshore energy facilities and liquefied natural gas terminals.