Held on an annual basis, this year's conference was attended by more than 300 delegates from 25 member countries located along Europe's coastline.

According to a report in the Isle of Man Online, Mr Downie made contact with representatives from many governments and associations with similar interests in maritime issues.

The CPMR is not only concerned with maritime issues, but as a political forum, the organisation helps to articulate the common interests of peripheral and maritime regions at European level, although it is independent of the European Union.

The CPMR lobbies national governments and European institutions to take on board the positions adopted by its members. It also works to ensure that the interests of its member regions are taken into account when EU legislation is being prepared, and its mission is to raise awareness, both politically and geographically, of the disparity in wealth between core nations of the EU and the more deprived areas on the fringes of the bloc.