The liberalisation of maritime transport and the island regions in EU. Evidence from Greece

Abstract

The liberalisation of maritime transport constitutes a substantial and vital progress not only in the
\nmaritime transport market but also in influencing the development of distant island regions. In the
\nEuropean Union (EU), the establishment of the legal framework and policy regarding the liberalisation is
\nstanding from the year of 1992. In Greece, the first attempt to harmonize the inevitable political and state
\nframework was in 2001 (2932/2001 Act). Prevailing factors encumbered the liberalisation planning and
\nimplementing, mainly because of the incoherent procedures applied and the partial cover of principal
\nissues regarding impingement of public interests and goods relative to island development.
\nIn our paper, we provide strongly support to the argument that the major initiative considering the
\ndevelopment of island regions throughout European territory is that European Policy for the liberalisation
\nof maritime transport should be oriented to the distinctive needs of island regions. Moreover, we provide
\na “road map” for completion of the liberalisation procedures. Hence, we address specific proposals and
\nmeasures towards the healing of the inadequate regional development.