Executive Board of the European Ports Organization (ESPO) in Constanța

Black Sea Port of Constanța, Romania, hosted for the first time the meeting of the European Ports Organization (ESPO) Executive Board, on Tuesday, 18 September. Representatives of nearly 30 European ports from 17 states debated issues related to the newest challenges in international shipping, up-to-date European legislation and ESPO internal affairs.

Lucian Pătraşcu, Secretary of State of Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Viorel Ştefan, delivered the message of the Romanian Government in the opening of the meeting: "Romanian Government is considering a set of priorities to increase the port's potential by enhancing short, medium and long-term investments aiming to help regain the market share of the goods through port facilities and to upgrade infrastructure fo efficient goods flow".

Romania, ESPO member since 2007, is aiming developing connections on rail, road and Danube navigation, towards Europe.

Eamonn O'Reilly, ESPO President, Dublin Port Companyrepresentative: "We are very honored to hold this Executive Board here in Constanța, and I am very much encouraged by the message and support of the Romanian Government. The power of ESPO is the power of the EU, and Constanța Port is not only the largest in the Black Sea, but it is very important for all the countries of the European Union. Thank you for your hospitality. I wish Constanța and Romania success in their future projects!"

Isabelle Ryckbost, General Secretary of ESPO, talked about the importance of the Black Sea area and appreciated the presence of Constanța Port within the ESPO. Executive Board of ESPO discussed issues related to the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which supports implementation of projects of European interest, aiming to develop and build new infrastructure and to ensure new services, to upgrade existing infrastructure in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors, says Constantza.Port.

Nicolae Tivilichi, General Manager of the National Company Maritime Ports Administration SA Constanța, host of the event: "We are very happy for managing to gather representatives of European ports to see the situation in the port of Constanța. We would like to reaffirm that the port of Constanța can be the entrance gate of goods coming from the Orient and vice versa, from Europe to the Far East. We can do this by using this blue highway called ‚the Danube’".

ESPO Executive Board meeting in Constanța, organized for the first time in Romania, has offered the ESPO delegates to learn about Constanța Port and its potential. Constanța has recently completed several infrastructure projects such as dyke rehabilitation, new container terminal and dock terminal, as well as other projects funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB) or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and co-financed from the state budget through company resources.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei