Gabriella Scozzi, DG MARE.A.1 Brussels, 9 December 2010

1. Gabriella Scozzi, DG MARE.A.1 Brussels, 9 December 2010 European Maritime Day 2010

2. European Maritime Day In the Blue Paper on Integrated Maritime Policy and in its Action Plan the Commission proposed: “The celebration of an annual European Maritime Day as from 2008, raising the visibility of maritime affairs and promoting links between maritime heritage organisations, museums and aquaria.” “The aim (…) is to raise the visibility of the maritime sectors and build upon best practice to support the further development of an integrated approach to maritime affairs. A second aim is to ensure continued contacts with and consultation of stakeholders.”

3. 20 May is Maritime Day • A Joint Tripartite declaration was signed in Strasbourg on 20 May 2008 by the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering and Janez Janša, the Prime Minister of Slovenia, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of the EU • Commitment of EU institutions, but EMD is a maritime stakeholders’ event

4. Facts: importance of the sea • 22 Member States are coastal States; • There are more than 1,200 sea ports in Europe; • 3 to 5% of EU GDP comes from industries and services belonging to the maritime sector; • Maritime regions produce more than 40% of GDP; • 90% of foreign trade and 43% of trade within the EU take place via maritime routes; • European shipbuilding represents 10% of global production and we are world leaders in value of production;

5. Facts: importance of the sea • There are around 95,000 boats involved in fisheries and aquaculture; • The sea is a source of energy • The sea is a fragile environment and is exposed to different types of threats, such as chemical pollution and the discharge of dangerous and non-degradable substances. • Challenges: climate change, coastal erosion, the depletion of fish resources and natural habitats. • Sea as a great opportunity and a challenge for research

6. Setting outlines for the future development of IMP President Barroso’s speech at the European Maritime Day Conference in Rome: • Strengthening maritime governance at EU, national, regional and sea-basin level • Developing cross-sectoral tools • Developing the sea-basin approach • Strengthening International dimension • of the EU integrated maritime policy • Ensuring economic benefits of the EU integrated maritime policy and sustainable development of coastal regions

7. European Maritime Day 2010 • Joint letter to stakeholders by Commissioner Joe Borg, Diego Lopez Garrido, State Secretary for European Affairs and Vincente Alvarez Areces, President of Asturias • Official event of the upcoming Spanish Presidency • The Progress report on the EU integrated maritime policy

8. EMD 2010 in Asturias • Official event of the Spanish Presidency of the EU • Key word: Innovation • Location in Gijon: a typical coastal town of 280.000 inhabitants, with a port and a shipyard, important coastal tourism and fisheries activities: a symbolic value • Venue: Universidad Laboral http://www.laboralciudaddelacultura.com/es

9. EMD: the EU progress report on IMP • Identifies six priorities • Integrated maritime governance • Sustainable growth, employment and innovation • Environment/boundaries of sustainability

10. EMD: the EU progress report on IMP • Identifies six priorities • Sea-basin strategies • Cross-cutting policy tools • International dimension of the EU integrated maritime policy

11. EMD: Prospects for the future • Gathering each year in a different sea basin: • 2009: the Mediterranean Sea Basin • 2010: the Atlantic coast: Gijon, Spain • Importance of events around Europe • Strengthening cross-cutting approach • Role of stakeholders: towards self-organisation

12. Further questions? • Internet • http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs • http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritimeday/index_en.html • http://www.maritimedaypresspix.eu/ • Contact: Gabriella.Scozzi@ec.europa.eu

13. Thank you for your attention !