Press Release: All EU countries to celebrate European Maritime Day in Rome, 18-20 May

The sea has always played a key role in Europe's prosperity. Our continent has almost 70 000 km of coastline and 22 of the EU’s 27 Member States are coastal or island countries. Our maritime regions are home to 40% of our population, generate 40% of our economy and employ some 5 million people. For all these reasons, 20 May is a dedicated 'European Maritime Day' in the EU. This year, in cooperation with the Italian government, the Commission is organising a 3-day conference in Rome from 18 to 20 May. This important event brings together stakeholders, administrations and other players from the European Union and this time also from a number of third countries, in particular from the Mediterranean region, to discuss the global challenges faced by maritime Europe today. European Maritime Day was set up as one of the key actions of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy, launched in 2007.

European Commission: MEMO/09/240: Questions and Answers on European Maritime Day 2009 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/240&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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