Dubravka Šuica, member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) of the European Parliament, participated in an important debate on maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management.

On the proposal of the European Commission, members of the European Parliament discussed the directive which would contribute to achieving EU objectives, such as: securing energy supplies, increasing maritime transport, sustainable fishing and the protection and preservation of the environment.

Šuica stressed, "We must create a balance between environmental protection and the so-called blue economy – sustainable tourism, sustainable development and fishery. We should not touch the principle of subsidiarity of member states and it is very important to adopt a directive, but to leave flexibility for member states when it comes to economic development.˝ Šuica has pointed out that we must always be aware that: "This country, this sea – we have borrowed it from our descendants˝.

Watch the full speech on this debate important to the Republic of Croatia in the video.