Cyprus supports EU Maritime policy

Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou- Markoullis, described as an “important development”, the European Commission’s initiative to create an integrated maritime policy.
Markoullis was speaking during a debate at the General Affairs and External Relations Council held in Brussels Monday.
Cypriot Foreign Minister said Cyprus congratulates the Commission and especially Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Joe Borg, who included this effort in the strategic aims and gave interested states the chance to express their views.
She added that Cyprus, which is a maritime state with quality maritime activities and an island state being in the eastern edge of Europe, can play an important role in most of the proposed action, so that maritime potential is utilized to the greatest extent by the EU.
Markoullis also said a complete maritime policy to be effective should be in line with the developments in the international maritime scene as well as securing the fundamental principles of free navigation and unimpeded access to ports, which is a fundamental prerequisite for developing commerce.
The sea transport sector, she added, must have an international character and member states should play a leading role to promote European policies worldwide so that the proposed recommendations have effect.
In addition, these actions should be approached in a flexible manner, depicting the various characteristics and requirements of member states, especially the needs of member states, which border with third countries.
She also said that Cyprus supports a solution for the future status of Kosovo, which will emerge from negotiations and not be the result of a one-sided action.
The developments in Kosovo were debated at the EU General Affairs Council on Monday.
Markoullis pointed out that any solution must be adopted by the UN Security Council noting that Cyprus, which has based its external policy on the UN charter, believes that any other action outside the international organization and the Security Council undermines the foundations of the UN and will be a very serious precedent and development.
She added that for Cyprus, the respect of international law is a matter of principle, noting that “international law and UN decisions have supported us throughout the years, therefore we cannot undermine these principles and the international law which has supported out state entity as well as efforts to solve the Cyprus problem”.
Markoullis departs from Brussels Tuesday morning for Uganda to take part in the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting in Kampala from 21-22 November.