SHIPPING: Cyprus and Portugal seek to enhance cooperation in maritime transport

Cyprus and Portugal have underlined their wish to further enhance their cooperation in the sector of maritime transport during an official visit of Shipping Minister Natasa Pilides to Lisbon this week.

Pilides had separate meetings with Portuguese Minister of the Sea Ana Paula Vitorin and the European Maritime Safety Agency`s Executive Director Maja Markovčić Kostelac.

During the meeting with Vitorin matters of mutual interest were discussed and their wish "to further enhance relations to bolster cooperation between the two countries on maritime affairs.

Talks in Lisbon followed the official visit of Portuguese Prime Minister to Cyprus in January during which it was agreed that the two EU partners would develop their cooperation in the areas of research, science and technology focusing on shipping.

During the meeting with EMSA’s Executive Director current issues and challenges the shipping sector is facing were discussed as well as the agency`s initiatives and ways through which Cyprus could support its work.

Pilides also opened an exhibition on the history of commercial shipping in Cyprus hosted by Cyprus` Embassy in Lisbon.