Greece will host the European Maritime Days (EMD) in 2015 at the port city of Piraeus, according to the announcement of the European Council on the locations of future EMD until 2019.

Piraeus is Greece’s largest port and one of the largest ones in Europe, as well as an international cruise center and a major commercial hub for the whole Mediterranean region.

European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki, who was the one announcing the news concerning Pireaus to the Government Vice-president and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos yesterday, noted that Greece could take a leading position in maritime policy, especially during its presidency of the European Council during the first half of 2014.

«The designation of Piraeus as EMD host coincides with Greece’s decision to place maritime policy at the top of its presidency’s agenda,» Venizelos said, pointing out the multiple aspects of maritime policy, such as security, energy, tourism, fishing and natural resources. Following Piraeus, the celebrations will travel to Poole, UK in 2016, to Turku, Finland in 2017, to Burgas, Bulgaria in 2018 and to Lisbon, Portugal in 2019, hence the theme Five Hosting Cities, Five Sea Basins.