EU-China Blue Partnership

28.3.2017

Question for written answer E-002147-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Louis Michel (ALDE)

On 2 March 2017, European Commissioner Karmenu Vella and Hong Wang, a member of China’s State Oceanic Administration, took part in the third EU-China dialogue on ocean affairs.

According to the Commission, these high-level dialogues provide a valuable opportunity to ‘exchange viewpoints on ocean management, blue growth and developments concerning the world’s oceans’. With that aim in view, the European and Chinese authorities have publicly stated their intention of promoting the establishment of an ‘EU-China Blue Partnership’.

Closer cooperation on maritime and ocean issues between the European Union and China, two key global players, is essential and welcome.

1. Will the Commission provide details of the results and progress achieved through the two previous high-level dialogues on ocean affairs and specify the nature of the objectives and measures that the future EU-China Blue Partnership would incorporate?2. Will it comment on the possibility and/or the potential need to throw open discussions and partnerships of this kind on ocean affairs to other global players?