Government officials from Cyprus and Oman have signed a number of cooperation agreements, enhancing cooperation in maritime affairs and mutual recognition of maritime certificates, while exploring prospects in the tourism industry.
Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanoli concluded a two-day visit to the Sultanate and to Qatar and signed a memorandum of understanding for mutual cooperation with Oman in the area of shipping, as well as an MoU for the mutual recognition of certificates of competency of merchant ship officers.
This agreement ensures that certificates held by masters, officers and radio operators from Oman and Cyprus will be recognised reciprocally, ensuring that seafarers meet the highest standards of training, competence and operational efficiency.
The MoU encourages the use of modern technology to enhance cooperation in maritime affairs and also deals with maritime safety and security, preventing pollution from ships, addressing ship registration issues and combating illegal acts like piracy.
According to the MoU, the two sides will also join hands to address climate change challenges by reducing carbon emissions in the maritime transport sector.
Hadjimanoli invited her host, Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Saeed bin Hamood al Mawali, to attend the biennial Maritime Cyprus conference in Limassol on October 5-8.
The Cyprus official met with the management of Asyad, the Muscat-based ports and freezone operator, as well as a fleet of 80 vessels, promoting the island’s benefits as a leading shipping register, as well a top three shipmanagement hub in the world.
During a separate meeting with Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Hadjimanoli also discussed ways of cooperation in the area of cruises, elaborating on the Cypriot junior ministry’s initiative to promote the island as a cruising hub.
She also visited the Omani Maritime Security Centre that keeps the sultanate’s keeps territorial waters safe and stable and discussed cooperation in marine environmental protection.
Throughout all the meetings, the Deputy Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of Cyprus to the Sultanate of Oman, Agis Loizou.
