Wednesday 5th February 2020

On Wednesday the 5th February 2020, the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR Group) is organising the first ECR International Conference on Maritime Security and the Blue Economy, which aims to look at challenges and opportunities of security in our seas and oceans, and the future of maritime trade from both a European and Transatlantic perspective.

The deteriorating security situation in the seas and oceans in many parts of the world has recently become the cause for growing concern within the international community. The number of incidents in the Baltic Sea involving Russian forces has continued to grow while the recent advancement of Nord Stream II is shifting the energy and security balance in the region against Euro-Atlantic Allies.

To fully unlock the potential of the oceans, considerable investment and an environment that fosters innovation and cooperation are required. It is through adequate maritime security and freedom of navigation that we can maintain the rule of law in areas beyond national jurisdiction and protect our strategic and economic interests.

Each panel will be followed by a question and answer session in order to inspire and engage participants to come forward with policy recommendations for future engagement. We look forward to the much needed discussion and debate on how to fully unlock the potential of this emerging economy.

AGENDA

• 14.15 Registration

• 14.30 Welcome Remarks

Anna FOTYGA, MEP ECR, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

Raffaele FITTO, MEP, ECR Co-President

• 14.45 Keynote Speech

Lieutenant General (ret.) Frederick Benjamin HODGES - Centre for European Policy Analysis

• 15.15: MARITIME SECURITY. CASE STUDIES: BALTIC SEA, STRAIT OF HORMUZ, ARCTIC SEA & SOUTH CHINA SEA

Panel discussion, moderator: Anna FOTYGA - MEP ECR, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

Speakers:

Timo Juhani SOINI, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, former MEP

Capt. (N) Prof. Bartłomiej PĄCZEK, Dean of Faculty of Command and Maritime Operations, Polish Naval Academy

Dr. Peter BROOKES, The Heritage Foundation, U.S.

Dr. James BOUTILIER, Special Advisor, International Engagement, Maritime Forces Pacific Headquarters, Canada

Dr. Anne Hsiu-An HSIAO, Associate Research Fellow, Division of American and European Studies, Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University, Taiwan

• 16.30 II. THE FUTURE OF MARITIME TRADE

Special remarks - Grzegorz WITKOWSKI, Deputy Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Poland

Panel discussion, moderator: Assita Kanko, MEP, Vice-Chair of the ECR Group,

Speakers:

Magda KOPCZYNSKA, Director for Waterborne Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission

Isabelle RYCKBOST, Secretary General, the European Sea Ports Organisation

Martin DORSMAN, Secretary General, European Community Shipowners’ Associations

Łukasz GREINKE, CEO Port of Gdansk Authority

Levan AKHYLEDIANI, CEO of the Anaklia Development Consortium

• 17.45 Closing Remarks

Anna FOTYGA, MEP ECR, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

• 18.30 Reception

The event will be followed by a concert and exhibition from 18:30 in the Yehudi Menuhin area of the European Parliament. To attend please RSVP HERE

You can also follow the Conference with the webstream.