Cyprus, Egypt sign commercial shipping agreement

Cyprus and Egypt have signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation in commercial shipping.
The agreement was signed during the official visit of Cypriot Minister of Communications and Works Charis Thrasou to Egypt from November 26 to 29.
Egyptian Minister of Transport Mohammed Mansur said after the signing of the agreement that his country needed regular passenger and cargo transport by sea with Saudi Arabia, noting that about 1.5 mln passengers travel from one country to the other per annum.
Mansur called on Cypriot businesspeople and ship owners to show an interest in this matter.
Thrasou said he would pass on this information and the motives provided to the ship owners’ associations in Cyprus.
During Thrasou’s visit to Egypt, officials of the Ministry met with Egyptian officials from the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation. These meetings resulted in the initialing of an agreement on international road transport, which provides the framework for further cooperation and development of relations between the two countries in the sector of cargo and passenger road transport.
A memorandum was also signed regarding the alteration of the existing air transport agreement so that it will comply with EU demands.
The Cypriot delegation offered Egypt cooperation and technical assistance in the sector of ship control in the direction of improving safety levels and protecting the marine environment.
It also explained to the Egyptians the control process of International Maritime Organisation member states, which the Cypriot Commercial Shipping Department recently passed.
The Egyptians showed interest in utilising Cyprus‘ experience, since they will be undergoing the same control in 2007.
During his stay in Egypt, Thrasou met with Minister of Civil Aviation Ahmad Shafik, with whom he affirmed the close cooperation in civil aviation matters between the two countries and their readiness to further enhance this cooperation.
They also discussed regional cooperation between Cyprus and the Middle East in managing air traffic (EMAC).
Thrasou furthermore visited Sonka port in the Red Sea, which was the first Egyptian port to be handed over to the private sector for 25 years, and the new Cairo airport buildings, which are under construction.
He also visited Alexandria port and, on the occasion of his presence there, met with Patriarch of Alexandria Theodoros II.