Cyprus and UK Commit to Deeper Maritime Cooperation Following High-Level London Talks

Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis has concluded a three-day working visit to the United Kingdom, during which she held a series of high-level meetings in London with British officials and key figures from the international maritime sector.

The discussions provided an opportunity to outline Cyprus’ national shipping policy and to present the priorities associated with the country’s forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The visit took place shortly after Cyprus’ re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and was clearly oriented toward strengthening cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, while ensuring Cyprus remains actively engaged within the global shipping community.

As part of her programme, Hadjimanolis met with her British counterpart, Keir Mather, where she initially set out the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The talks then turned to further enhancing relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom, with particular emphasis placed on the progress achieved in implementing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoU) signed between the two countries.

In parallel, the Deputy Minister held discussions with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. According to the information released, the meeting focused on “issues related to the Organisation and the challenges facing shipping at a global level.” Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Hadjimanolis noted that the talks also addressed ways to further reinforce cooperation between Cyprus and the IMO over the next six months, especially in light of Cyprus’ upcoming assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Within this framework, Hadjimanolis also hosted a reception at the High Commission of Cyprus in London, attended by representatives of the international shipping industry. She explained to the CNA that the purpose of the event was “to thank all the member countries of the IMO that in November honoured Cyprus with their vote and re-elected it to the Council of the Organisation, in particular in the highly honorable 7th place”.

Beyond official meetings, the Deputy Minister engaged in a series of discussions with representatives of shipping companies, focusing on enhancing cooperation and, more broadly, on further promoting the Cyprus ship registry.

Concluding her London engagements, Hadjimanolis gave an extended interview to London Greek Radio (LGR). During the interview, emphasis was placed on strengthening ties with the Greek Cypriot community in the United Kingdom, while simultaneously highlighting and promoting Cypriot shipping on the international stage.

By fLEXI tEAM