The Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe (AMRIE) was founded in 1993 as an initiative of members of the European Parliament to provide maritime regional interests with an effective political voice.
AMRIE works to establish an "Integrated Maritime Strategy in the European Union".
The need for a higher political profile for maritime issues is recognised by our sponsoring Members of the European Parliament - Mr Alan Donnelly, Mr George Katiforis, Ms Brigitte Langenhagen, Mr Guido Podestá and Mr Roberto Speciale
In 1991, the Commission of the European Communities created the Maritime Industries Forum to identify actions which would benefit to all commercial and industrial interests and improve their competitiveness. This initiative has been successful, bringing together a wide range of activities including oil and gas offshore exploration, fisheries, ports, shipping, shipbuilding and marine equipment suppliers, together with other parts of the maritime infrastructure. They have been working together to identify areas of common interest and actions which will assist the development of all sectors.
This led to the formation of the Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe (AMRIE). It is in the regions that the integration and co-ordination of maritime activities effectively take place. They will play an increasingly important role in securing energy, mineral and food supplies for the whole of the Community over the next decades. The ambition is to ensure that there is the political will and drive to implement the measures which are identified as being beneficial to the regional maritime activities. The main themes of work are employment, environment and centres of excellence within the framework of improving competitiveness.