Civil Protection Maritime Challenges Workshop – Jan 19, 2017

The “Civil Protection Maritime Challenges” Workshop which was organised within the Malta EU Council Presidency 2017 programme of events by The Civil Protection Department was held between 19 and 20 January 2017 at the Radisson Blu Resort, St. Julians, Malta.  This workshop aimed at consolidating maritime response to major emergencies at sea.

Eighty five (85) participants from EU member states, the United States, Algeria and Tunisia discussed diverse topics ranging from major oil spills, fires aboard cruise ships, and protection of coastal critical infrastructure.

During the event, Mr Gabino Gonzalez, Head of Office of REMPEC, delivered a presentation on REMPEC’s activities in the Mediterranean, with particular emphasis on topics of interests for the Civil Protection Community. The Centre disseminated manuals produced under the Project Preparedness for Oil-polluted Shoreline clean-up and Oiled Wildlife interventions (POSOW II) co-financed by Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO).

In addition, REMPEC’s video celebrating 40 Years of Cooperation in the Mediterranean to Prevent and Combat Marine Pollution from Ships was projected and the related Commemorative Book was distributed to the participants.

Mr. Alfonso de la Fuente Garrigosa, acting Head of Unit, Civil Protection Policy (DG-ECHO) acting also as OPRC Focal Point for REMPEC, Ms. Biljana Zuber and Mr Franz Josef Molitor from the Ministry of Interior of Germany visited REMPEC’s Office to discuss areas of cooperation.