Cyprus constitutes a global maritime power

Cyprus constitutes today a global maritime power and a modern, qualitative and comprehensive maritime complex, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said, addressing the 20th Annual General Assembly of Cyprus Shipping Chamber in Limassol.
Christofias referred to the problems, which Turkey creates with the embargoes it imposes on the Republic of Cyprus and said that efforts of Cyprus to lift Turkish intransigence have been intensified.
“A serious problem which the Cypriot shipping faces is the problem of the bans imposed by Turkey on the approach and docking of ships under Cypriot flag in Turkish ports. The efforts made by the Republic of Cyprus to lift this illegality against our country have intensified,” he noted.
President Christofias also noted the positive political dimensions of Cyprus position in the maritime sector. He said it is very importance that the Cypriot flag is flying at ships all over the world and noted the intensive presence of Cyprus at international maritime organizations, which reinforces the entity of the Republic of Cyprus and strengthens its negotiating position.
He said the presence of foreign investments in Cyprus creates conditions of increased security and noted that maritime trade is a sector with great challenges and opportunities which the Cyprus government has managed to take advantage of, in close cooperation with the competent private organizations.
Christofias noted that the Cyprus government aims at providing tax and other motives so that it continues to maintain its prominent position at the global maritime sector but also improve it and develop it further.
Christofias also praised the role of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and noted that the cooperation of the government with the private sector will continue and deepen.