Commissioner Barrot to address Cyprus maritime conference

Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Transport and Energy, Jacques Barrot, arrived in Cyprus on Sunday to address the opening ceremony of the “Maritime Cyprus 2005” Conference that is being held in the coastal town of Limassol, 25 – 28 September.

Around 800 people from 35 countries are attending the biennial conference.

Minister of Communications and Works Haris Thrasou opened the three-day meeting, which was also be addressed by Commissioner Barrot and General Secretary of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Admiral Efthymios Mitropoulos.

The Conference is being organised for the ninth time by the Ministry of Communication and Works, the Department of Merchant Shipping, the Cyprus Shipping Council and the Cyprus Shipowners’ Association.

On Monday Commissioner Barrot will hold a meeting with the Cypriot minister of Communications during which they will discuss issues concerning maritime safety, Turkey’s restrictive measures against Cypriot shipping, as well as the EU international maritime relations.