The overall strategy of the Atlantic Area Operational Programme can be summarised as follows: to achieve significant and tangible progress in transnational cooperation geared towards cohesive, sustainable and balanced territorial development of the Atlantic Area and its maritime heritage.

The main goal of the Programme is therefore to contribute to the territorial cohesion of this area through transnational cooperation projects on all four programme priorities between the European Union Member States of the Atlantic seaboard.

For the period 2007-2013, the Atlantic Area will include the following regions:

• Spain: Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Navarra, País Vasco, Andalucía (Huelva, Cádiz et Sevilla)
• France: Aquitaine, Poitou-Charentes, Pays-de-la Loire, Bretagne, Basse-Normandie, Haute-Normandie
• Ireland: Border, Midland and Western et Southern and Eastern
• Portugal: Norte, Centro, Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Alentejo, Algarve, Norte
• United Kingdom: Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and North Somerset, Dorset and Somerset, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Devon, West Wales and The Valleys, East Wales, South Western Scotland, Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland

Project Priorities

Thematic priorities and specific objectives to strengthen cooperation have been identified.

• Promote transnational entrepreneurial and innovation networks
• Protect, secure and enhance the marine and coastal environment sustainability
• Improve accessibility and internal links
• Promote transnational synergies in sustainable urban and regional development

More detailed information can also be found on the Atlantic Area Transnational website at http://atlanticarea.inescporto.pt/ which contains comprehensive details of the programme, including the programme documents, lists of projects and project ideas.