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Last 9th May, the Maritime Station of Vigo hosted a ceremony in commemoration of Europe Day, which counted with the participation of the Spanish Minister of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Elena Espinosa; the Vice-President of the European Parliament Fisheries Commission, Rosa Miguélez; the Minister of the Sea of the Xunta de Galicia (Galician Regional Government), Rosa Quintana; the Mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero; and the Executive Director of the Community Fisheries Control Agency, Harm Koster. More than 150 people attended the event, where Xavier Vázquez, representative of the European Commission, read the declaration of the Commissioner Joe Borg that we publish below:
"First of all, I would like to say that I would have liked to be present among you on this special day.
Today, Europe Day, is a celebration of lands, peoples and seas, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, united in their diversity.
Of the political vision of Europe's founding fathers, we all share a dividend of peace spanning well over half a century. It is a success story unparalleled in history. Stability and prosperity sprouted from peace and cooperation. This is all the more astonishing when one considers the centuries of strife that ripped through our continent. Today, the European Union spans the length and breadth of the whole continent, through 27 Member States.
European seas and the resources therein call for ever closer cooperation and sharing of interests and concerns. Our marine resources are a common good, and as a common good, they require shared management and safeguarding. Cooperation is also at the very heart of the mission of the Community Fisheries Control Agency, organising operational cooperation of fisheries control and inspection activities by the Member States, so as to comply with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, and in order to ensure its effective and uniform application. Indeed, a most rewarding aspect is that the CFCA has proven to be a role model of the added value of European cooperation. The CFCA's work contributes to a level playing field, where all fishermen are treated on equal footing, helping them achieve a sustainable living. It has been undoubtedly a major contribution to the European Union's Fisheries Policy.
The people of Vigo have always had close ties to the sea. In fact, the port of Vigo has been the major factor shaping the history of this city. This is a vital experience which is common to millions of people who live along the European coast. Indeed, Vigo is Europe's largest fishing port and home to one of the world's largest fishing and correlated industries.
The location in such a region steeped in maritime tradition provides the Agency with the perfect springboard for its high-profile endeavours in the pursuit of making fishing more environmentally, economically and socially viable. Furthermore, the Agency has made Vigo a global reference point – through the hosting of an international cooperation system of fisheries control – and at the same time connects Vigo more closely and directly to the rest of Europe. This is exemplified today in the celebration of Europe Day through the gathering together of European and local representatives.
In this spirit of cooperation and celebration of the European project, we have organised this Art Contest for young European artists. Indeed, through the ages, the Sea, and fishing in particular, have been a source of inspiration for many artists in Europe. It is still the case today. Proof of it is the interest that this has brought about with the participation of artists from 11 different Member States. By painting the "Human activity in the maritime environment; Fisheries", younger generations reflect on the value and significance of fishing activities through their artistic work.
As part of the Jury for this contest, I congratulate all the participants for the high quality of their art. The spirit of Europe and the European seas is alive in their paintings. In particular, I would like to announce the winner of this contest: Ms Leticia Rodríguez Fernández from Vigo, Spain, and congratulate her for her outstanding work. Her painting will have the honour to be placed at the entrance of the CFCA entrance hall in Vigo.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my full confidence that this Agency, with its highly competent staff and the support of the authorities here in Galicia and in Spain as a whole. I am certain that the CFCA will continue to be a textbook model of European cooperation, assisting European and national authorities in the preservation of fisheries activities, also for future generations.
May I quote here some words of your countryman Alfonso Daniel Rodríguez Castelao:
"Que a fogueira do espírito siga quentando as vosas vidas e que a fogueira do lume nunca deixe de quentar os vosos fogares"
I wish you all a great Europe Day"
