The Atlantic Four is an informal grouping within the EU of four EU Member States boarding the Atlantic Ocean: France, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain and several of their outermost regions, which engage in sub-regional cooperation on the EU’s Atlantic Maritime Strategy. It involves collaboration with regional and national governments and engagement with economic and social representatives from coastal communities, cities, and research institutions, as well as EU institutions such as the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions.

The Atlantic Maritime Strategy aims to strengthen cooperation among Atlantic Member States to enhance sustainable development in the Atlantic basin from the regional to the international level. Institutional frameworks such as the revised Action Plan for a Maritime Strategy in the Atlantic Area; the Atlantic Maritime Strategy; the Interreg Atlantic Area programme 2021-2027; and the Ministerial Declaration from 18 October 2023 by the four Atlantic Member States provide the basis for thematic cooperation between the four Member States. Cooperation between the four Member States focuses predominantly on topics such as developing the blue economy and renewable energy; enhancing cohesion and sustainable development; improving connectivity and infrastructure between coastal regions and Member States; promoting maritime conservation and resilience; and supporting innovation in the Atlantic basin.

Ireland assumed the rotating Presidency of the Atlantic Strategy Committee, the governing body of the Atlantic Maritime Strategy, in 2025. This body ensures political and operational cooperation on the Atlantic Action Plan and, as President, Ireland will host the Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference in Galway on 13 November 2025.

Suggestions for further institutionalisation of the Atlantic Four have been proposed to formalise cooperation between the four Member States, however these proposals have yet to be taken up and agreed by the four national governments.

This Future-Proofing Europe infographic provides a visual overview of the EU’s Atlantic area and, specifically, the Member States and regions engaged with the EU’s Atlantic Maritime Strategy.