Lisboa, Parque das Nações, Centro de Reuniões da FIL
O Ministro de Estado e dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Diogo Freitas do Amaral, presidiu à abertura da Conferência Internacional sobre Política Integrada para os Oceanos, que decorre até 14 de Outubro. A conferência conta também com a presença do Secretário de Estado da Defesa Nacional e Assuntos do Mar, Manuel Lobo Antunes.

Esta Conferência que mereceu destaque especial no Portal do Governo, reúne um conjunto bastante diversificado de organizações nacionais, regionais, académicas, das Nações Unidas, da Industria e de Organizações Não Governamentais (ONG) para analisar a experiência obtida da formulação e implementação de políticas integradas para os oceanos, aos níveis nacionais e regionais, em todo o mundo.

Mais uma vez, utilizámos o Google Earth, para determinar a distância entre o local onde decorre a Conferência e o Maior Tanque de Lama da Europa, que se encontra consubstanciado no estado de desleixo e abandono em que está convertida a Marina do Parque das Nações, única saída para o Mar da Expo'98, a exposição que foi realizada para celebrar os oceanos. Desta vez a distância encontrada foi de 0,66 milhas náuticas....!

No Site da Conferência, retiramos o seguinte texto sobre Portugal e sobre o local onde decorre a conferência:

HOST COUNTRY AND VENUE

Portugal's history and traditions are rooted in the use of the oceans. Portugal, the first European nation to develop a comprehensive oceans strategy, reaffirms its strong connection to the seas. The country's decision to promote a comprehensive analysis of ocean issues was based upon the recognition that Portugal should pursue the management of its large maritime area not through a sector-by-sector approach but rather through the adoption of a long-term policy that embraces all aspects of the ocean using an intersectoral, interdisciplinary and cross-cutting approach to ocean affairs.

The conference will be held in Lisbon, the starting point of the discovery of new cultures, new lands, and new routes in the world's maritime history, at Expo '98, where the international exposition celebrating the International Year of the Ocean took place.

Estamos perfeitamente convictos que quem escreveu o texto, não conhece a situação da MARINA DO PARQUE DAS NAÇÕES e das suas áreas envolventes, as quais, há mais de três anos, foram votadas ao mais completo desleixo e abandono pela Parque Expo, com o consentimento da Câmara Municipal de Lisboa e do Governo da República.

Efectivamente, o lema da Expo'98 - os Oceanos - foi completamente traído por estas entidades que, pouco ou nada fizeram para inverter a situação no terreno, apesar dos propalados discursos com frases bonitas tais como: "uma estratégia de viragem para o mar", "devolver a cidade ao rio", "a nossa vocação marítima e atlântica", " os rios e o oceano são paisagens para contemplar onde, todos os dias, nasce Portugal", etc..

A ANMPN, desde que foi constituída em Abril de 2002, já enviou mas de cinco centenas de cartas a todas as entidades com responsabilidade no local, denunciando a vergonhosa situação e apontando para medidas urgentes. Uma das últimas missivas, foi enviada há mais de dois meses para o Governo com uma proposta "Como assegurar a abertura da Marina do Parque das Nações no Verão de 2006". O assunto foi despachado por Sua Ex.ª o Primeiro Ministro para os Ministérios do Ambiente e da Economia, e apesar da nossa insistência efectuada através da Carta "Um pouco mais de Sol e um pouco mais de Azul para a Marina do Parque das Nações", a situação encontra-se, ao que parece, em "banho Maria" nos referidos ministérios.

Este histórico dá-nos legitimidade para ilustrar o discurso de Sua Exª, o Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros, na Sessão de Abertura da Conferência Internacional sobre Política Integrada para os Oceanos, com fotografias alusivas à situação actual da saída mar da Expo'98, exposição que celebrou o ano internacional dos oceanos e que homenageou os navegadores portugueses que deram novos mundos ao mundo.

Discurso de S. Exa. o Ministro de Estado e dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Professor Diogo Freitas do Amaral

Lisboa, 11 Outubro 2005

Mr. European Commissioner Joe Borg,
Mr. Secretary of State Lobo Antunes,
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain,
Dr. Mário Ruivo,
Illustrious members of the table,
Dear Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is for me a great pleasure to open the Ocean Policy Summit 2005. I would like to warmly welcome you all to Lisbon, a city by the sea, a city looking at the sea, a city historically linked with the sea. I would also like to start by thanking everyone who has played a role in making the event we are hosting today a reality, in particular to the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, the driving force behind this meeting.

The subject of this conference is one to which Portugal is particularly attached. As Napoleon used to say, “Peoples have the History of their geography”. Since our foundation as a State, given our geography, Portugal has been a maritime nation. The ocean has simultaneously shaped and challenged our identity as well as our destiny. We witness this in our History but also in our economy and in our culture. The poetry of Luís de Camões, Fernando Pessoa and Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, among others, remarkably expresses how, as a people, we have our body in Europe and our soul in the sea.

This perception must not lose its meaning. Therefore, awareness raising is of the utmost relevance and initiatives like the present one, cross sectoral discussion, mobilisation of knowledge, the meeting of government authorities, international organisations, experts and civil society constitute a valuable asset in that regard. Also to that end, ocean issues have been figuring high on our political agenda: actually, this is the very same site where Expo 98 took place, and from Portugal came the proposal for the celebration of the International Year of the Oceans, just to name a few examples.

Our national territory is at the crossroads of three continents, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. Portugal’s extensive continental coastline and the positioning of the archipelagos of Azores and Madeira represent one of the largest maritime areas in the world. And to this we must add the extension of our continental shelf, soon to be defined, eventualy extended until the 350 nautical miles. You all know that the oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface, but what you may not know is that the Portuguese oceanic area is 18 times larger than our territorial land, making Portugal a very large oceanic nation.

Some people say that Portugal is in the periphery of Europe, but what is irrefutable is the Atlantic centrality of our country, simultaneously European and Atlantic. The European and the maritime options of Portugal are naturally complementary. Therefore, Portugal must assume its maritime essence as a specialization which can give us an added value in Europe.

Our maritime vocation is also reflected in our special partnerships with North America, Africa, South America and even Asia. It is the Sea that allows a medium-sized European country to have global interests and we must always bear this in mind and illustrate it in our image abroad. In fact, the Sea can be our flag in the process of our affirmation in Europe and throughout the World.

These are all key strategic advantages at a time we face globalization - a process which actually started with our navigators in the 15th and 16th centuries, and represents our most valuable contribution to mankind’s History. Indeed, we are very proud of our past, but we are just as committed to invest in our maritime future.

The commitment to the Sea as our main national resource must be a long term investment. This is an area where we clearly have a comparative advantage. After having defined a structural policy with a clear vision, we will act with determination and in a sustainable way in order to properly conserve and exploit the Sea. I am confident that the future will bring us the aimed results.

This is our vision and it shall be our mission.Our efforts must encompass:
- environment,
- overall scientific research
- industry,
- tourism,
- transport,
- fisheries,
- energy,
- and sports.

Many in Portugal envision a cluster of sea activities, which could have a very significant “spillover” effect in our economy. I endorse this project and I would even pose the following question: why not consider the challenge of a “Sagres School for the 21st century”?

Bearing in mind the project launched 5 centuries ago by Henry the Navigator, in our south-western shores, the only real long-term, structural policy that was developed in this country, we could study the possibility of establishing in Portugal an international center of excellence for the scientific investigation in various activities related to the Sea, attracting to Portugal the ultimate expertise and know-how in these fields. This time the goal would not be to “find and explore new worlds” but rather to exploit the natural richness of the oceanic universe.

II

Ladies and Gentlemen,

An integral part of the Earth’s ecosystem and a most important natural resource, oceans and seas are paramount to contributing to food security and economic and social prosperity. They have been called the “last frontier of science” and there is growing interest in the seabed’s energetic, genetic and mineral resources. With such a huge potential it is amazing when we face the fact that we have a more in depth knowledge of the outer space than of the oceans that surround us. In order to receive the most from the ocean, we have to know it and protect it much better.

Until quite recently, most countries had relied on sectoral policies to manage the uses of the oceans and the seas. However, we have learned that ocean issues can only be effectively addressed in an integrated, holistic and interdisciplinary manner. In a global world there are no frontiers, and this is particularly true when it comes to ocean affairs.

As stated in the preamble to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 - the juridical pillar on Ocean and Sea matters -, the problems of ocean space are closely inter-related and need to be considered as a whole”. The same spirit embodies the 2002 Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

On this subject I would also underline the assessment of the United Nations Secretary General - as relevant as fostering interagency cooperation, is the enhancement of cooperation between states at various levels. Once these demands are met, countries will not only be able to enjoy the ocean’s potentialities to the utmost, but also be better equipped to face eventual challenges, such as natural disasters.

III

Today, more and more countries are developing maritime policies and adopting an ecosystem based approach to oceans and seas management. Later on in the programme participants will have the opportunity to hear and discuss some specific cases, Portugal’s own experience included. Allow me to say that ours is quite an interesting one. Our approach to ocean issues goes beyond the development of an integrated maritime policy; we have aimed at the formulation of a pro-active strategy for the oceans capable of mobilising people and resources.

In fact, Portugal fully subscribes the strategic objectives of the European Commission for 2005-2009 regarding these matters: “the particular need for an all-embracing maritime policy aimed at developing a thriving maritime economy and the full potential of sea-based activity in an environmentally sustainable manner.” The European Agency for Maritime Security, which Lisbon will soon host, will also be instrumental in this task.

In the course of the present conference, we will get a broader and clearer picture of recent developments and emerging trends around the world concerning the elaboration and implementation of integrated ocean policies – both at national and regional levels. From this exchange of experiences and insights we will draw instrumental synergies and guidance on emerging best practices.

In conclusion, I would like to underline that, in the common interest of mankind, the development of integrated ocean policies is in due course. We must be ambitious and build upon the results of this conference, with a view to attaining a sustainable development of oceans and seas. That is our common responsibility. It may not be an easy one, but it is essential and it certainly is to our own best interest.

Reflecting our common memory as a navigator people, the famous poet Fernando Pessoa wrote, “Deus ao mar o perigo e o abismo deu mas foi nele que espelhou o céu”; in (a not so poetic translation to) English, “To the sea God gave the danger and the abyss, but it was in the sea that He reflected the sky”.

Let us keep inspired by the sea and by its poetry in the challenges that lay ahead.

Thank you very much.

A Direcção da ANMPN vai continuar a aguardar uma resposta do Governo até ao final do corrente mês de Outubro. Se até lá nada acontecer, é porque se aplica o velho provérbio "Santos de casa não fazem milagres". Então, solicitaremos às organizações internacionais que estiveram presentes neste evento, bem como, à organização da Lisbon WaterfrontExpo 2007 , que questionem o Governo Português sobre a falta de alinhamento entre aquilo que diz e aquilo que faz, como aqui ficou bem demonstrado.

Já só nos resta esta alternativa...! No entanto e admitindo que alguns dos nossos políticos e entidades com responsabilidades no sucedido possam ainda ter alguma vergonha..., talvez seja possível evitarmos situações que irão decerto ocasionar muitos incómodos...!

Tudo se passa na capital do país que "teima" em afirmar que honra os seus antepassados, navegadores e descobridores e que em sua memória e exaltação nacional levou a cabo a maior manifestação de júbilo aos descobrimentos e intrépidos navegadores Portugueses, a Expo 98, a tão celebrada - a Expo dos Oceanos -.

Saudações Náuticas,

A Direcção da ANMPN