Commercial shipping development basic priority of Cyprus

The government of Cyprus has set the development of commercial shipping as one of its basic priorities, Minister of Communication and Works Erato Kozakou – Markoullis has stressed.

Addressing a luncheon on the sidelines of the maritime exhibition “Posidonia 2010”, in Athens, Markoullis said that the Ministry will always support those involved in the maritime industry and will make its utmost to exploit the decision of the European Commission regarding the maintenance and further development of Cyprus’ role in world shipping.

“The Greek and Cypriot fleet are dominant in Europe”, she went on to add.

Markoullis noted Greece’s support towards Cyprus, clarifying that “Cyprus does not wish to compete Greece”.

She said that the qualitative and quantitative modernization of the Cypriot and Greek fleet is of mutual interest for both countries.

“Respect, support and mutual interests of Greece and Cyprus lead us to a common policy and close cooperation between our countries. It is very important to have powerful partners on national, European and international level, like Greece”, she went on to say.

The Minister pointed out that Cyprus is today a world shipping power and said that during the past years, Cyprus’ shipping policy focused on the improvement of maritime safety.

She recalled that recently, Cyprus has introduced a new tax framework for its commercial shipping which was approved by the European Commission on March 24 2010.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the conference, the Cypriot Minister held a series of meetings with Ministers of the Greek government.

She met with Minister of Transport Demetris Repas, Minister of Culture and Tourism Pavlos Geroulanos and Minister of Finance and Maritime Affairs Louka Katselli.