Conference

The EU as a Global Actor in Maritime Security: Competences—Obligations—Accountability

Date: Thursday 25 October 2018 - Friday 26 October 2018
Location: Kamerlingh Onnes Building
Steenschuur 25
2311 ES Leiden
Room: A0.51

Leiden Law School hosts a conference on 'The EU as a Global Actor in Maritime Security: Competences - Obligations - Accountability' from 25 to 26 October 2018. It takes place in the framework of the ILS 2.0 research project 'Policing the high seas: maritime law-enforcement in a multi-actor environment'. The conference is organised by the Europa Institute in cooperation with four Interest Groups of the European Society of International Law (ESIL): the Interest Groups on the EU as a Global Actor, on Migration and Refugee Law, on International Human Rights Law, and on the Law of the Sea.

The Topic

The EU has become increasingly active in ensuring a secure global maritime domain. This in particular involves combating threats posed by illicit activities, such as piracy against ships, drug trafficking, smuggling and trafficking in human beings, or illegal fishing, as well as by natural disasters, climate change, or conflict in and around coastal regions. In 2014, the EU adopted a common framework for the development of a European response to maritime threats. This Maritime Security Strategy aims at enhancing the visibility of the EU in the global maritime domain by mainstreaming maritime security into EU policies as well as EU external relations. Involved in implementing the Maritime Security Strategy are not only the EU institutions and the Member States, but also more specialised bodies, such as the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), or the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (EBCGA, commonly referred to as Frontex).

The aim of the conference is to explore what competences the EU has to act in the maritime domain, what obligations it is bound to when doing so, and how judicial oversight over these activities can be ensured. Studying the EU’s competences, obligations, and accountability in this respect informs the broader question of whether the EU, being neither a state nor a classic international organisation, has a role to play in the global maritime domain and how that role could be shaped.

Programme

The programme can be found here.

Registration

We kindly ask you to register before 15 October.

Accommodation

We have made a reservation in the IBIS hotel, conveniently located opposite of Leiden Central Station. To book a room at the university rate of € 79,00 p/n for a single room (including breakfast), please send an email to H8087-RE@accor.com and include the code 'UNIV241018'.

We can also recommend the Tulip Inn and Golden Tulip hotel.

Directions and venue

Leiden Central station has frequent direct train connections from and to the airport (Schiphol Amsterdam, approximately 15 minutes).

From the hotel it is a 15-minute walk to the Law School: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/locations/kamerlingh-onnes-building#tab-1