Chaired by Jane Bateman of the Football Association and featuring Michal Krejza, Head of the European Commission's Sports Unit, the session will explore the links between sport and the European Union, and in particular the role of national governing bodies of sport in this context.
Jim Murphy said:
"As this year's Euro 2008 Football Championship and Ryder Cup demonstrate, sport is one of the most effective tools in bringing people together for a common purpose. There are 700,000 sports clubs and associations within the EU - no wonder the British Olympic Association has described sport as the biggest social movement in Europe.
The Lisbon Treaty will allow EU institutions to recognise the special nature of sport far more systematically than they have been able to do in the past. The Treaty will recognise, for the first time, the important role of sport in European societies.
Sport brings us together much more than it divides us. It can unite us even when we're not playing for the same side. And the same can be said of Europe - 27 nations with their own national interests but united in pursuit of common goals.
I'm looking forward to sharing a conversation with CCPR's members and sports stakeholders on 10 June to discuss areas in which the European Union can work to promote and improve sport".
Brigid Simmonds OBE, Chair of CCPR, said:
"CCPR is delighted to welcome the Minister to the summit where he will join a top quality line up in considering how British sport interacts with the European Union. It is essential that British sporting bodies understand how Europe can impact on their own activities, but also that the European institutions understand the special nature of sport - which is in fact the largest social movement in Europe. Sport is unique and specific.
"It needs understanding and governing bodies of sport need policy to support their activities, rather than relying on the European Courts to make judgements on the way forward. The Lisbon Treaty and European White Paper on Sport provide an excellent opportunity to move this debate on, and we look forward to the Minister's contribution."
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The CCPR Sport Summit takes place between 0930 and 1615 in the India Room of the Oval Cricket Ground, on Tuesday 10 June. The Europe Minister will participate in the morning session on "Europe and the role of sport after the Lisbon Treaty" from 1015 - 1120 in the latest of his series on "Global Europe" events.
For attendance enquiries at this event, contact Angela Sasso at CCPR on 020 7976 3923.
For further details on the FCO's series of Global Europe Seminars, contact the Chris Lilley of the EU Communications Team at the Foreign Office on 020 7008 1912 or by e-mail on chris.lilley@fco.gov.uk A summary of the Sport Seminar will appear on www.europe.gov.uk with space for comments and contributions from the public.
FCO Press Office: 020 7008 3100
