Edler, J.. Vom Grünbuch zum Blaubuch – Eine integrierte Meerespolitik für die Europäische Union. (From Greenpaper to Blue Book – An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union.) In: Schernewski, G., Janßen, H., Schumacher, S. (eds.). Coastal Change in the southern Baltic Sea Region. Coastline Reports (12), pp. 25-36. EUCC - The Coastal Union, Leiden, 2009.

The article deals with the history from the Green Paper to the Blue Book accompanied with background information concerning the Lisbon Strategy and the Sixth Environment Action Programme of the European Community entitled "Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice". Both documents were important steps towards the Blue Book. They make it clear that meeting the challenges of today's environmental problems means looking beyond a strictly legislative approach and taking a strategic approach. This approach requires the use of a whole range of instruments and measures to influence decisions made by business, consumers, policy planners and citizens. The next step was the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament of October 24, 2005, "Thematic strategy on the protection and conservation of the marine environment". The Communication establishes common principles for member states to use when working with eachother and with non EU countries in the region, to develop strategies for achieving a good ecological status in the marine waters for which they are responsible. The goals are to protect and restore Europe's seas and ensure the ecological sustainability of economic activities linked to the marine environment by 2021. First the Green Paper: Towards the future Maritime Policy for the Union: a European vision for the oceans and seas is discussed. The Green Paper’s purpose was to launch a debate about the main focuses of a future EU Maritime Policy. The diversity of various vertical sectoral policies hinders successful ocean management. A new policy should be integrated, intersectoral and multidisciplinary. In order to explore how existing sectoral policies on maritime transport, industry, offshore energy, fisheries, the marine environment, coastal regions and others could be combined, they had to be examined in a systematic manner. The Commission wanted to get answers concerning these questions and solicited further new ideas in a public consultation process which lasted from June 7, 2006 until June 30, 2007. Over 490 contributions were received, and Maritime Policy was discussed with stakeholders at over 230 events. A Report on results of the Stakeholder consultation followed. On October 10, 2007, the Commission presented its vision for an Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union. The vision document -also called the Blue Book, was accompanied by a detailed Action Plan and an Impact Assessment.

This vision is based on the recognition that all facets of European oceans and seas are interlinked. Sea-related policies must be developed in an integrated and combined strategy and system. The Blue Book contains the main actions that the Commission will pursue in the following five action areas:

- Maximising the Sustainable Use of the Oceans and Seas

- Building a knowledge and innovation base for maritime policy

- Delivering the Highest Quality of Life in Coastal Regions

- Promoting Europe's Leadership in International Maritime Affairs

- Raising the Visibility of Maritime Europe.

The Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 24, 2005 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of marine environmental policy, along with the planned Baltic Sea Strategy and National Strategies form a complete system of maritime management.