The European Union last week decided to celebrate the achievements and potential of Europe’s ocean and seas by declaring May 20 as a dedicated “European Maritime Day.” The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said in a statement, “The sea, the maritime sectors and marine resources are essential for Europe’s prosperity and well-being.
By setting up a European Maritime Day, we, as Europeans, want to celebrate this reality and to raise awareness about maritime opportunities and our new Integrated Maritime Policy.” The official launch ceremony will be held in Strasbourg, where Barroso, European Council President Janez Jansa and the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering will sign a Joint Tripartite Declaration. “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,” declared Joe Borg, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
He added: “It is an idea that received broad support throughout the consultation process on the new Integrated Maritime Policy.” European Parliament Vice-President and Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, Rodi Kratsa, who helped launch the initiative said: “This celebration is an excellent occasion for all of us, in order to increase awareness and visibility of the crucial role played by the Oceans and Seas and will contribute to a better visibility of the maritime sectors and maritime environment and more recognition of the importance they play in everyday life.”
Announcing the day, EU officials told journalists in Brussels that European Maritime Day would 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. Based on a proposal from the Commission, this dedicated Maritime Day would also encourage better stewardship of coastal zones, seas and oceans by all citizens and actors concerned. The Commission expressed hope in a statement that citizens and stakeholders living and working in Europe’s maritime regions would seize this occasion to showcase their contribution to the EU as a whole, and to stimulate broad debate around the challenges they face.
The first-ever European Maritime Day on May 20 will coincide with the European Parliament vote on a report on the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy. The report highlights, inter alia, the exceptional maritime dimension conferred on the EU by its extensive coastline, islands and outermost regions. It also underlines the unique opportunities offered by the maritime sector as regards innovation, research, environment and biodiversity, calling for these to be fully taken into account in the emerging Integrated Maritime Policy. Furthermore, the report stresses how the involvement of regional and local partners is essential to making a success of the maritime policy and advocates closer cooperation between Europe’s coastal regions.