02/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 28 February, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) published its report for 2005 in which its president, Giuliano Gallanti, notes that last year was marked by the debate on the proposal for a directive on sea ports, a proposal that has since been rejected by the European Parliament, but that there is now “a clear opportunity for the future to make progress with the development of a coherent and supportive policy framework for European seaports”. The sector expects the European Commission, by mid-2006, to revise the White Paper on Transport Policy and a Green Paper on Maritime Policy, ESPO states in a press release. Mr Gallanti also raises the issue of the relationship between ports and cities, noting that the “separation of ports and cities which has characterised port expansion over the past decades has its limits and has demonstrated that a policy whereby the port moves out of sight of the local community finds it very difficult in generating public support for its further development”. (Information: Tel.: 02 736 3463. Fax: 02 736 6325. E-mail: mail@espo.be).