UNIÃO EUROPEIA DELEGAÇÃO NA REPÚBLICA DE CABO VERDE EU/Cape Verde Special Partnership Celebration Week 2015 Report 1 | P a g e EU/CV Special Partnership Celebration Week 2015-Rep o r t EUD to Cape Verde 1. Introduction Within the framework of the celebrations of the Special Partnership Week 2015 and the Europe Day, the Delegation of the European Union has organized a variety of events in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) and other national and local Cape Verdean authorities. The EU-CV Special Partnership (SP) Week 2015, running from 04 to 12 of May, aims to give visibility to the progress of this important relationship and reflect the diversified mainstreaming of this cooperation: security, knowledge and cultural promotion, civil society support, business enhancement and water and sanitation. This week has been providing an important opportunity for the EUD to strengthen and spread the message on the importance of the promotion of a more dynamic business environment as well as the attraction of FDI to boost the country's key economic and productive sectors, such as tourism. Due to this significant diversification of events, the SP Week this year managed to reach a highly diversified public, and caught great attention from national and international media (see section #4). 2. Description of Events 2.1. Press Conference To mark the start of this week, the EU Ambassador Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira, and the Cape Verdean Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Maria de Jesus Miranda made a joint press conference on 04 May at 10:30 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX). Following a presentation of the full Week Program delivered by the EU Ambassador, the Secretary of State pointed out the most recent important progress registered in the framework of the EU/CV Special Partners as well as the good collaboration and constant exchange among the two parties. The journalists had the opportunity to ask specific question on the SP Week and the Agreement in general. #1 The EU Ambassador and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 2 | P a g e EU/CV Special Partnership Celebration Week 2015-Rep o r t EUD to Cape Verde 2.2. Meeting with the Minister of Tourism, Investment and Business Development (04 May) For the first time, the Minister of Tourism, Investment and Business Development, Leonesa Fortes, met with members of the recently established European Business Association of Cape Verde (AEECV). The meeting was organized in partnership with the MIREX and with the participation of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Maria de Jesus Miranda and EU Ambassador Jose M. Pinto Teixeira. This meeting represented a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to share with the Minister their own experiences, concerns and assessment of the business environment in CV. The exchanges were constructive and proved to be extremely relevant and useful for both parties. #2 Moments of interaction between AEECV members and the Minister, Ms Leonesa Fortes 2.3. Ceremony "keys of the city" to the EUD During the same week the EU Ambassador received the Keys of the City from the Praia City Mayor, Ulisses Correia e Silva, symbolizing the longstanding cooperation between the EU and the Capital of Cape Verde. The official act took place in the City Hall of Praia on May 06 and counted with the presence of the Diplomatic Corps, among others, the ambassadors of Cuba, France, Portugal, Russia, Senegal, US, the UN Resident Representative, the consul of Guinea-Bissau, as well as Municipal and National Assembly members, representatives of religious and civil society organizations, universities and entrepreneurs. The Ceremony was a significant opportunity for the EU Ambassador to recall the importance of attracting foreign investment and encouraging joint efforts at both central and local level aiming at improving the overall business climate as well as tourism . #3: the EU Ambassador, José M. Pinto Teixeira and the Mayor Ulisses Correia e Silva during the act 3 | P a g e EU/CV Special Partnership Celebration Week 2015-Rep o r t EUD to Cape Verde 2.4. Visit of the Portuguese vessel "Bartolomeu Dias" The coming of this frigate to Cape Verde falls within the framework of cooperation for security between the EU and the islands. During the SP week, the frigate of the Portuguese Navy was involved in joint exercise with the CV Coast Guard and participated in the SP Week events with an exhibition on board presenting CSDP mission "Atalanta" and humanitarian aid provided during the eruption of the volcano on Fogo Island (both EU missions). The ship was open to public visits of schools and military corps. The First Lady also visited the exhibitions during the week. #4: The First Lady and schools kids visiting the BD frigate #5: The EU Ambassador starts his visit to the ship 4 | P a g e EU/CV Special Partnership Celebration Week 2015-Rep o r t EUD to Cape Verde 2.5. Inauguration of the Landfill As part of the Week program, the solid waste landfill of Santiago Island was inaugurated. This important infrastructure funded under the 9th EDF and set up in the framework of the "Integrated Management Program of Municipal Solid Waste on the island of Santiago ", aims to respond effectively to an urgent need in Cape Verde in the field of sanitation and environment protection. #6: The speeches delivered by the EU Ambassador and the Cape Verdean Prime Minister, José Maria Neves during the Inauguration 2.6. Opening of the Training Session under the EU-funded project implemented by OMCV The opening act of the training organised under the EU Project " Recovery of the Women Quality Craft Production as a form of empowerment and development of the most vulnerable sectors " was also organised in the framework of the SP Week. The event counted with the presence of the Minister of Environment and Territorial Planning, Mr Anteiro Veiga, the Mayor of São Domingos and the EU Ambassador. #7: The public act for the Opening g of the Training session at the City Hall of São Domingo (Santiago Island) 5 | P a g e EU/CV Special Partnership Celebration Week 2015-Rep o r t EUD to Cape Verde 2.7. European Film Festival (05-12 May) One of the major events of the week was the European Film Festival, organised in the historical centre of the city, in the oldest Cinema of Praia. The Festival counts with the projection of 15 films representing 13 EU MS (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden). This Festival, organised in strict cooperation with the Municipality of Praia, started on the 5 th of May with an official opening. So far, the Festival counted with a significant attendance which highlights a remarkable progress compared to last year's event. The Festival aims at promoting a culture of European Films in the country; starting from the City of Praia, the EUD foresees to spread the festival to the Island of São Vicente. #8: A moment of the Festival official opening and a Festival Poster 2.8. EU Reception for the EU-day (07 May) As every year, the reception for the Europe Day took place at the EU Residence. 6 | P a g e EU/CV Special Partnership Celebration Week 2015-Rep o r t EUD to Cape Verde 2.9. University Conference on the Creation of the Special Partnership with former MEP J. Ribeiro e Castro Still framed in the activities of the week, the Portuguese MoP Ribeiro e Castro delivered two lectures (Praia and Mindelo) on the creation of the Special partnership between the EU and Cape Verde. In Praia, the lecture took place on May 7 at the School of Law and Social Sciences (ISCJS). About 150 participants attended the conference, among students, professors, representatives of governmental institutions, international organizations and civil society. #9: Portuguese Deputy Ribeiro e Castro during the conference 2.10. Open air Concert on Europe day (09 May) On the occasion of the Europe Day Celebration, on the 9th of May, an open air concert (promoted by the EU-funded project 7 Sois 7 Luas – "7 Suns 7 Moons") took place in the historical part of the city. The 7S7L Orkestra composed by European and Cape Verdean musicians played the European and the Cape Verdean hymns to open the Concert. The Head of State along with the EU Ambassador delivered a speech before the Concert started. About 300 people participated in the activity. 2.11. Visit of the CV Deputies to the EU Institutions In the framework of the SP celebrations, a visit of the members of the Cape Verdean National Assembly to the EU Institutions is being planned (foreseen for the 27th of May). 2.12 Documentary on the EU Investments in Cape Verde A Documentary integrated in the RTP Program Nha terra- nha cretcheu has being prepared and it will cover the diversity of EU investments in different Cape Verdean islands. This reportage is promoted by the EUD in partnership with the European Business Association of Cape Verde (AEECV) and it is foreseen to be on air on RTP África on the 26 th of May. 7 | P a g e EU/CV Special Partnership Celebration Week 2015-Rep o r t EUD to Cape Verde 2.13 Film-Documentary Kaminhu di Volta (Migrants' stories) This documentary covers the story of four CV migrants who are among the 25 beneficiaries of the Diaspora Reintegration program funded under the EU/CV Mobility Partnership, a project implemented by EU MS between 2011 and 2015. The documentary also includes an interview with the EU Ambassador to Cape Verde and one to the Cape Verdean Minister of Communities.