4.2.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 3417 II (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 4 December 2008 on the signing, on behalf of the European Community, of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (2009/89/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175(1), in conjunction with the first sentence of the first paragraph of Article 300(2), thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1)  The Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution, which was subsequently renamed as the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Envi- ronment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (hereinafter the Barcelona Convention) was concluded on behalf of the European Community by Council Decisions 77/585/EEC (') and 1999/802/EC (3. () In accordance with Article 4.3(e) of the Barcelona Convention, the Contracting Parties shall commit them- selves to promote the integrated management of the coastal zones, taking into account the protection of areas of ecological and landscape interest and the rational use of natural resources. (3)  The Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2002, concerning the implemen- tation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe (), and in particular Chapter V thereof, encourages the implementation by the Member States of integrated coastal zone management in the context () OJ L 240, 19.9.1977, p. 1. () O] L 322, 14.12.1999, p. 32. () O] L 148, 6.6.2002, p. 24. of existing conventions with neighbouring countries, including non-Member States, in the same regional sea. The Community promotes integrated management on a larger scale by means of horizontal instruments, including in the field of environmental protection. These activities therefore contribute to integrated coastal zone management. Integrated Coastal Zone Management is one component of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy as endorsed by the European Council held in Lisbon on 13 and 14 December 2007. By virtue of a Council Decision of 27 November 2006, the Commission participated on behalf of the Community, in consultation with the representatives of the Member States, in the negotiations organised by the Barcelona Convention with a view to preparing a Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean (hereinafter the ICZM Protocol). As a result of those negotiations, the text of the ICZM Protocol was adopted by the Conference of Plenipoten- tiaries on 20 January 2008 and it will be open for signature until 20 January 2009. The Mediterranean coastal zones continue to experience high pressures on the environment and degradation of coastal resources. The ICZM Protocol provides a framework to stimulate a more concerted and integrated approach, involving public and private stakeholders including civil society and economic operators. Such an inclusive approach is required to address these problems more effectively and achieve a more sustainable develop- ment of the Mediterranean coastal zones.