ESPO meets with Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
On Thursday morning, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) met with the Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, to discuss maritime affairs, ESPO said in its press release.
The meeting took place on the occasion of the 4th Maritime Spatial Planning conference in Venice, which was opened by the Commissioner. The conference addressed topics affecting the coastal tourism and cruise sectors, including environmental challenges.
Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO Secretary General said: “It was a very constructive meeting. The Commissioner has shown a big interest is the way our organisation works, with regard to the integration of ports and cities, the Birds and Habitats Directive and cruise issues.”
“The Commissioner took note of the different codes of practices that have been developed over the years by ESPO in this respect, and he clearly understands that each port has its own unique story.”
ESPO Chairman, Santiago Garcia-Milà said: “We have met a Commissioner who knows and understands our industry. Mr. Vella stressed the importance of the blue economy, and considers it a priority to maintain this important part of the European economy.”
“As a former Minister for Tourism, he is clearly very familiar with the cruise business. We are looking forward to working with the Commissioner on all these topics.”
