1.8.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 201/63 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 31 July 2009 establishing the High Level Steering Group on SafeSeaNet (Notified under document C(2009) 5924) (Text with EEA relevance) (2009/584/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system ('), and in particular point 2.2 of Annex IIl thereof, Whereas: (1) The Commission is responsible for the management and development at policy level of the central SafeSeaNet system and for the oversight of the SafeSeaNet system, in cooperation with Member States. (2)  Point 2.2 of Annex III to Directive 2002/59/EC provides that the Commission shall establish a High-Level Steering Group to assist in the management of the SafeSeaNet system. (3)  Therefore the High-Level Steering Group should be set up and its tasks and its structure defined. (4)  The High-Level Steering Group should be made up of representatives of the Member States and of the Commission. (5)  The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is responsible for the technical implementation of the Safe- SeaNet system, in cooperation with the Member States and the Commission, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3); it should therefore be closely involved in the work of the High-Level Steering Group. (6) It appears also necessary to address strategic issues related to the future developments of the SafeSeaNet () O] L 208, 5.8.2002, p. 10. 0] L 208, 5.8.2002, p. 1. system, taking into account in particular the objectives of the integrated maritime policy of the European Union and the 2018 maritime transport policy objectives as set out in the Communication of the Commission on the strategic goals and recommendations for the EU’s maritime transport policy until 2018 (), HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Atticle 1 The High Level Steering Group on SafeSeaNet The High Level Steering Group on SafeSeaNet hereinafter referred to as ‘the group’ is hereby set up. Article 2 Tasks The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to the current and future developments of SafeSeaNet, including its contribution to the maritime surveillance from a holistic perspective. The group’s tasks shall be: (a) to make recommendations to improve the effectiveness and security of SafeSeaNet; (b) to provide appropriate guidance for the development of SafeSeaNet; (©) to assist the Commission in reviewing the performance of SafeSeaNet; (d) to approve the interface and functionalities control document referred to in point 2.3 of Annex I of Directive 2002/59/EC, and any amendments thereto. () COM(2009) 8 final.