16/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - At the Port of Brussels on Saturday 17 July, the “Treaty of Rome” sailing ship will be renamed “From Rome to Lisbon”. The hosts of the event are Brigitte Grouwels, the Brussels minister responsible for the Port of Brussels, Karel De Gucht, EU Trade Commissioner, Freddy Thielemans, Mayor of the City of Brussels (and former MEP) and Philippe Close, Brussels City councillor with responsibility for tourism. The symbolic baptism commemorates the Lisbon Treaty coming into force and the huge changes the Treaty makes to the EU27. The Belgian Presidency of the EU is the first presidency to fully operate under the Lisbon Treaty. The ship's naming will take place at 11.20am. Shortly beforehand, at 11.00am, Francisco Fonseca, head of the European Commission's representation in Madrid, will hand over the baton to his Belgian counterpart and organiser of the event, Willy Hélin. For further information, contact Pierre Donner, Sail for Europe Asbl. Mobile: +32 (0)475 32134. (G.B./transl.fl)