EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in Poland
22.07.201015:15
Piotr
- Poland faces towards the sea. The maritime policy marks an important turning point - said Minister of Infrastructure Cezary Grabarczyk during a meeting on 22 July 2010 with the EU delagtion led by Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanki. The meeting was also attended by Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure Anna Wypych-Namiotko.
Minister C. Grabarczyk stressed that Poland made great progress in the maritime sector. - We formulated the Guidelines for Maritime Policy till 2020. We established the Interministry Group for Maritime Policy RP. Our policy is balanced and comprehensive - added the Minister.
Commissioner M. Damanaki congratulated Poland on its latest achievements in the area maritime affairs. She also stated that an inter-departmental cooperation for the maritime sector in Poland should give example to other EU Member Countries. She emphasized a good cooperation between the European Commission and Poland in the field of shipping safety in the Baltic Sea and involvement of our country in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.The meeting was also organised to discuss the issues related to the protection of marine environment. Minister C. Grabarczyk reminded of the Nord Stream to be laid down in the Baltic Sea. He stressed that the safe exploitation of the pipeline should not collide with shipping safety. Commissioner M. Damanaki promised to start a discussion to ensure safe shipping routes in the context of newly-built pipelines in the sea and seabed oil deposit excavation.
During the meeting, the participants also talked about European Maritime Day 2011 in Gdańsk (Poland). C. Grabarczyk stressed that the event, organised under the banner „Man on the Sea”, provides an opportunity for Poland to raise maritime consciousness of its citizens. The Minister added that maritime affairs take on a bigger economic as well as social importance thanks to such events. He also reminded that the government was working on legislations related to the profession of a seaman and tonnage tax, which would consequently revive the Polish Navy.Commissioner M. Damanaki congratulated the maritime academies in Poland on their successes in development of maritime education and raising marine consciousness. Minister C. Grabarczyk reminded of the idea to establish the European Maritime Academy. They both agreed that high maritime standards within the Community would be crucial for future economy in EU.
During her stay in Poland, 21 July 2010, M. Damanaki visited Maritime Office in Gdynia, Maritime Academy in Gdynia, and Polish Baltic Philharmonic in Gdańsk, where EDM 2011 is going to take place. During its visit to the seaside, delegation was accompanied by Viceminister A. Wypych-Namiotko.
