European Maritime Day

European Maritime Day, celebrated on 20 May each year, seeks to raise European citizens' awareness of the seas and their importance. Several events take place during that day, including an annual stakeholder conference co-organised by the European Commission. In 2012 the conference will be held in Gothenburg. European Maritime Day was established jointly by the European Council, European Parliament and European Commission in 2008 as part of the EU maritime policy.

European Maritime Day 2013

The European Maritime Day is celebrated each year on 20 May since 2008. This annual event was established jointly by the European Council, the European Parliament and European Commission as part of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy launched in 2007. Its aim is to provide an occasion to highlight the crucial role that oceans and seas play in the everyday life not only of coastal communities, but of all EU citizens, and for Europe's sustainable growth and jobs at large, and to encourage better stewardship of coastal zones, seas and oceans by all citizens and actors concerned. During European Maritime Day, tribute is paid to "Maritime Europe" and all maritime sectors and activities are put in the spotlight to help European citizens realise the real outreach and variety of sea-related activities going on in Europe.

After Brussels 2008, Rome 2009, Gijon 2010, Gdansk 2011, and Gothenburg 2012, the 2013 European Maritime Day will be held on the 20 and 21 May in Valletta, Malta.

Malta is the most southern point of the EU. It has been called the gateway to the Mediterranean, and throughout modern and ancient history, its location has given it great strategic maritime importance. For thousands of years, Malta has been the outpost between the East, Africa and Europe.

Malta has a long maritime tradition goes back thousands of years and currently has the largest shipping register in Europe. As a maritime nation Malta is proud to be hosting the 2013 European Maritime Day.

European Maritime Day 2012

The city of Gothenburg will host the 2012 European Maritime Day Conference. The event will be held from 21 to 22 May in Eriksbergshallen at Eriksberg, Gothenburg, in the former shipyard area of central Gothenburg. The conference is co-organised by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Region Västra Götaland, the City of Gothenburg and the Swedish Ministry of Enterprise. The theme of this year's conference is "Sustainable growth from the oceans, seas and the coasts". Among the speakers are Commissioner Ms. Maria Damanaki, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, Mr. Koji Sekimizu, the Swedish Minister of Infrastructure, Ms. Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd, the Swedish Minister of Environment Lena Ek and the CEO of Shipping, Drilling and Ferries for Stena AB, Mr. Carl-Johan Hagman.

European Maritime Day 2011

The city of Gdańsk in the Pomerania region of Poland has been chosen as a location for the 2011 European Maritime Day Conference. The event will be held from 19 to 20 May at the premises of the Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra. The conference is being co-organised by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Infrastructure of Poland, authorities of the Pomerania Region, and the city of Gdańsk. Its programme will focus on jobs and training in the maritime sectors and on the maritime sectors' potential to trigger the economic growth in the coastal regions.

European Maritime Day 2010

The city of Gijón Asturias was chosen by the European Commission to organise the 2010 European Maritime Day Conference that was held between 18 and 21 May 2010. This event was part of the events within the Spanish presidency of the EU. The Commissioner Joe Borg, the State Secretary of the Spanish Government, Diego López Garrido, and the President of Asturias Vicente Álvarez Areces were in charge of formalising the agreement.

Almost 2000 European Maritime Policy stakeholders attended the conference. The main theme was innovation, in particular its role in the design of competition policy, environmental protection, improvement of working conditions and employment[1] On 20 May Felipe, Prince of Asturias, EU Commissioner Maria Damanaki, Diego López Garrido, Vicente Álvarez Areces, and the Mayor of Gijón Paz Fernández Felgueroso spoke.

European Maritime Day 2009

It was held in Rome and focused public attention both on Europe's rich maritime heritage and on the crucial role the maritime sector plays in the development of a sustainable future for the EU. The three-day conference was hosted by the Italian Government. High level speakers included Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Stefan Füle, Minister for European Affairs of the Czech Republic representing of the Presidency of the Council of the EU; as well as around 30 ministers from EU Member States and MED countries The Commission was also represented with Vice-Presidents Antonio Tajani and Verheugen, and Commissioner Joe Borg. More than 1200 people attended the Conference which had 125 speakers.

European Maritime Day 2008

It was held in Brussels.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "European Commission Letter to Stakeholders" (PDF). europa.eu (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 August 2009.

External links

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