ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. A transboundary Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) requires the development of a common vision of regional actors in assessing, evaluating and monitoring marine spatial plans. As a consequence, joint governance, balancing of powers, institution and capacity building, sufficient stakeholder's participation and open and transparent dialogue in the planning process gain importance. Transboundary MSP in this context means a process in which at least two states, sharing a boundary on the Territorial Sea or the Exclusive Economic Zone, jointly manage a marine area. As part of its integrated maritime policy a number of instruments have been adopted by the EU, incorporating various strategies and programmes for sustainable management of marine and coastal resources. Which include among others the EU Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) 2007, the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) 2008 and more recently the EU Framework Directive for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSPD) 2014.
