First EU Maritime Day on Tuesday

The EU will be holding its first European Maritime Day next week with the aim of celebrating the achievements and potential of Europe's ocean and seas.

This initiative was taken by Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg last year after the approval of a new integrated maritime policy for the EU.

The European Commission yesterday gave details of the activities to be held on this occasion including an official launch ceremony in Strasbourg, where Commission President Josè Manuel Barroso, European Council president Janez Jansa and the president of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering will sign a Joint Tripartite Declaration marking May 20 as the European Maritime Day.

Speaking to The Times, Dr Borg said that setting aside a special day each year to mark the importance of the oceans and seas is a way to promote the well-being and welfare of all Europeans in this era of globalisation.

"It is an idea that received broad support throughout the consultation process on the new integrated maritime policy," he said.

The first European Maritime Day will coincide with the European Parliament vote on a report on the EU's integrated maritime policy.

The report highlights the exceptional maritime dimension conferred on the EU by its extensive coastline, islands and outermost regions and underlines the unique opportunities offered by the maritime sector with regard to innovation, research, the environment and biodiversity.

The parliamentary report calls for these to be fully taken into account in the emerging policy.

In parallel, the European Commission will also hold a stakeholder conference in Brussels.