On 16 and 17 July 2024, the cities of the Atlantic Cities network met in Brest during the Fêtes Maritimes for their annual General Assembly. During this meeting, the cities of the Atlantic Arc addressed the themes of Atlantic gastronomy, sustainable tourism and the preservation of the oceans and their resources.
Although the European elections last June enabled the pro-European political forces to retain a majority in the European Parliament, they were also marked by the rise of Eurosceptic forces and the growing rejection of the European integration project. In this context, the Atlantic cities reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation.
Solidarity, cooperation and the projects carried out in the areas along the Atlantic façade, joint contributions to Brussels (e.g. TEN-T) or during European events (e.g. the European Maritime Days) nourish this essential European territorial dialogue and embody the imperative need to reconnect the European project with the concerns of its inhabitants.
The two working days provided numerous lessons and perspectives at the start of this new European legislature.
In this context, the Mayor of Donostia/San Sebastián, Eneko Goia, chaired the Annual General Assembly of the Atlantic Cities Network, held in the French city of Brest on 16 and 17 July.
In his welcome speech, he reviewed the main stages of his three years of presidency. He stressed that “in the last three years, the organisation of the network has been consolidated and expanded with the incorporation of cities such as Biarritz, Bilbao and Braga”.
Goia also highlighted the efforts to establish an Atlantic Macroregion and the progress made in the negotiations, which have enabled new challenges and opportunities for collaboration to be identified.
At the end of these two days, the city of Donostia / San Sebastián, represented by its mayor, handed over the presidency of the network to the City Council of A Coruña, represented by Mayoress Inés Rey. Rey stressed that “A Coruña has a lot to contribute to this network, which aims to promote joint projects between cities on the Atlantic coast and consolidate its influence on the orientation of European public policies”.
A new executive board was also elected: Brest métropole and the city of Gijón renewed their mandates as vice-presidents, and the cities of Donostia/San Sebastián and Faro will also hold the position.
Rey and the new bureau will implement the 2024 action plan approved at the assembly, as well as the agreements included in the Brest declaration signed at the assembly.
Brest Declaration
The General Assembly concluded with the signing of the Brest Declaration of the Atlantic cities. This declaration was drawn up following two days of seminars in which representatives of the participating cities discussed and shared their experiences in the fields of Atlantic gastronomy, sustainable tourism and the protection of the oceans.
The cities of the network of Atlantic cities recognise that Atlantic gastronomy is an important part of their cultural heritage, and undertake to promote collaboration between the various institutions and organisations in order to bring Atlantic gastronomy to the same level of recognition as Mediterranean gastronomy, for which they have announced their intention to develop a quality label.
In this regard, the Atlantic cities have made a commitment to promote healthy and inclusive cuisine and food, to support local producers and to educate and raise awareness through the organisation of culinary events and workshops.
In terms of tourism, the Atlantic cities are committed to promoting sustainable tourism strategies in line with the global challenges of decarbonisation and protection of the marine and coastal environment.
Finally, the Atlantic cities reaffirm their concern and their willingness to act against climate change and its effects, reiterate their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, call for the development of a Blue Deal, along the lines of the European Green Deal, on the oceans and the distribution of water resources, and express their willingness to participate directly in the definition of new European strategies on the oceans.
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