Brussels, 13/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - European Maritime Day is celebrated every year on 20 May. This year the European Commission, in cooperation with the Italian government, is holding a conference in Rome on 19-20 May. Among those expected to take part are Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a representative of the Czech Presidency of the EU, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, European Parliament Vice-President Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Altero Matteoli, European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani and European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg.
The conference will debate a number of issues related to the sea and to EU maritime policy, including tourism, climate change, reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), recent progress in implementing the EU integrated maritime policy and the importance of clusters as a means of boosting the economies of maritime regions. A range of exhibitions and workshops will be organised by various groups, including NGOs, on the sidelines of the conference.
For the European Maritime Day, a range of events will be organised nationally, regionally or locally by stakeholders throughout Europe. These events will be aimed at those working within the fisheries sector, civil society, the general public and/or the media. Various types of event will be held: conferences, workshops, debates, exhibitions, study visits and press visits highlighting maritime projects and activities, open days in ports, museums and aquariums, environmental events, university and school projects. In European election year, many of the events will include debates with candidates standing for election to the European Parliament in June. For information on the events in the various countries, go to http://www.ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritimeday/events_in_member_states_en.html (L.C./transl.rt)