The Atlantic Arc Commission Calls for the Creation of the Atlantic Macro-Region in Talks with Government Representatives from Spain, France, Portugal, and Ireland

The Atlantic Arc Commission, chaired by President Imanol Pradales, met this morning with senior government officials from Spain, France, Portugal, and Ireland to provide a first-hand update on the progress of the Atlantic Macro-Region project.

Addressing the Secretaries of State for EU Affairs from Spain and Portugal, the French Minister Delegate for the EU, and the Irish Ambassador, the President underscored the added value of transitioning from the Atlantic Maritime Strategy to a fully established Macro-Region.

He highlighted the need to move forward with the creation of the Atlantic Macro-Region as a means of strengthening territorial cohesion, enhancing connectivity, and boosting the region’s economic resilience.

"The Atlantic holds vast potential to lead Europe’s green and digital transformation. To fully realise this, we must act in a coordinated manner, moving beyond existing cooperation frameworks to implement a macro-regional strategy that enables us to address shared challenges with a unified vision and aligned resources," the President stated.

This morning’s event in Bilbao brought together representatives from the national governments of Spain, France, Portugal, and Ireland, alongside key stakeholders from the socio-economic landscape of the Atlantic Arc, including the Atlantic Chambers of Commerce, the CRUSOE network of Atlantic universities, and the Atlantic Economic and Social Councils Network.

Atlantic Arc Commission: Next Steps

The Atlantic Arc Commission is currently developing a strategic roadmap for the Atlantic Macro-Region, outlining the long-term resources required to support its implementation. This plan has been created with the active involvement of socio-economic actors across the Atlantic region and will be formally presented at the next Atlantic Arc Commission General Assembly, set to take place in Seville on 5–6 June 2025.