The European Commission has welcomed the announcement by the Spanish State Secretary for European Affairs, Diego Lopez Garrido, and the President of the Asturias Region, Vicente Alvarez Areces, that Spain and the Asturias Region would jointly host the key stakeholder event to mark European Maritime Day in 2010.
This year's European Maritime Day which was held in Rome focused public attention both on Europe's rich maritime heritage and on the crucial role the maritime sector plays in the development of a truly sustainable future for the EU. The three-day conference hosted by the Italian Government was an outstanding success.
The Commission is therefore delighted that Spain has come forward to host the next keystone event in May 2010, in Gijon. Maritime stakeholders and institutions from all around the EU will again seize the opportunity of Maritime Day both to exchange their knowledge and their idea for the future, as well as to explain how much the diverse maritime sectors can continue contributing to the quality of life throughout the continent, not only in the coastal regions. The focal event in Gijon should provide extra stimulus for a kaleidoscope of stakeholder-led events throughout the EU.
