Bridging the Gap: Responding to Connectivity and Tourism challenges for Resilient European Islands
INVITATION to an event of the SEArica Intergroup
Hosted by MEP Vangelis Meimarakis, Vice-Chair of the SEArica Intergroup for Coastal, river areas & communities,
Organised with the support of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions
MEP Vangelis Meimarakis, Vice-Chair of the SEArica Intergroup, is pleased to invite you to the following conference “Bridging the Gap: Responding to Connectivity and Tourism challenges for Resilient European Islands” on Wednesday 02 July, 13:00 -15:00, in the European Parliament in Brussels in room SPAAK 3C50.
As Europe’s islands face mounting pressures, connectivity and tourism are increasingly interlinked. The SEArica event “Bridging the Gap: Responding to Connectivity and Tourism for Resilient European Islands” will explore how a tailored, innovative and transformative EU approach to connectivity and tourism can underpin resilience in island territories.
Islands depend on reliable air and maritime links for essential mobility and economic vitality, yet these same infrastructures are often vulnerable due to seasonality, profitability constraints and environmental challenges. At the same time, tourism, which is central to many island economies, faces a pivotal transformation as acknowledged by key EU frameworks such as the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 and the Transition Pathway for Tourism. In this context, it becomes evident that supporting insular connectivity must be part of a broader redefinition of a European tourism model.
By linking discussions on connectivity with the urgent need to redesign tourism models, this event offers a unique opportunity to exchange on the alignment of EU investments and EU regulatory frameworks with island-specific realities. It will highlight how connectivity can act as both an enabler of resilient tourism and a vector for broader territorial cohesion, economic diversification, and social inclusion.
Event Properties
| Event Date | 02-07-2025 13:00 |
| Event End Date | 02-07-2025 15:00 |
| Location | European Parliament Brussels |
| Categories | Conférence 2025-2029,Islands,Tourism |
| Attachment | Draft_Agenda_-_SEArica_Islands_Event_July_02_sending.pdf |
the SEArica intergroup is re-established
Brussels, February 2025
Charting a new course: the Seas, Rivers, Islands & Coastal Areas Intergroup (SEArica) is re-established in the European Parliament
Continuing its longstanding mission since 2009, the Seas, Rivers, Islands & Coastal Areas (SEArica) intergroup has been successfully re-established as one of the 28 intergroups of the European Parliament. SEArica unites Members of the European Parliament who share a commitment to elevating seas, oceans, and coastal challenges to the top of the European political agenda.
This re-establishment comes at a decisive moment for European maritime policies. By unveiling a European vision with the European Ocean Pact ahead of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025, Europe must lead the way toward ambitious international ocean governance. The European Ocean Pact was first announced by President von der Leyen in her political guidelines for 2024-2029, and later confirmed in the mission letter of Commissioner Costas Kadis.
“The European Ocean Pact is a great opportunity to strengthen our sovereignty, protect the environment, support sustainable jobs in the blue economy, and empower our coastal and island communities. To achieve this, we need an open dialogue with different political forces and stakeholders. The SEArica intergroup is the platform for such dialogue. Our launch event for the intergroup has shown that we can unite behind the European Ocean Pact. This pact can be a win-win for NGOs, industries, policymakers, and citizens alike,” declared Christophe Clergeau, Chair of SEArica Intergroup.
“Tonight, we gave the floor to representatives and stakeholders with different perspectives, yet united in the aim of shaping an ambitious European Ocean Pact—one that goes beyond mere promises, one that delivers results. This evening marks the beginning of a ‘blue coalition’ working towards this common goal,” added Christophe Clergeau.
The re-established intergroup will bring together co-legislators, policymakers, stakeholders, and experts to work collaboratively on maritime and coastal challenges. In the presence of the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, and Special Envoy of the President of the French Republic for the United Nations Ocean Conference, Ambassador for the Poles and Oceans, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the SEArica’s inaugural event took place on February 5 in Brussels, setting sail on a new, timely journey for SEArica.
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What is an Intergroup?
The Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas Intergroup is one of the 28 Intergroups that were approved in December 2024 by the Conference of Presidents for the 10th legislature of the European Parliament. Intergroups can be formed by MEPs from any political group and any parliamentary committee with a view to holding informal exchanges of views on particular issues and promoting contact between MEPs and civil society.
