Turkey’s embargo on Cypriot ships to be discussed

Turkey’s refusal to open its ports to ships flying the Cypriot flag will be discussed during the 10th Maritime Cyprus Conference that will be held in Limassol from 23 – 26 September, in the presence of Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport Jacques Barrot.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works and Chairman of the Conference’s Organizing Committee, Makis Constantinides said that unless Turkey lifts the embargo it has imposed on ships flying the Cypriot flag, the EU – Turkey negotiating chapter on transport will not open.
Constantinides, who was speaking during a press conference on Maritime Cyprus 2007, said that the government is considering various countermeasures to be granted to ship owners to offset the losses resulting from Turkey’s embargo, imposed since 1987.
“This issue will be raised at the Maritime Cyprus 2007 Conference in the presence of Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport Jacques Barrot. The Turkish embargo is the only negative aspect in the field of Cypriot shipping”, he said.
Cyprus Shipping Council Secretary General, Thomas Kazakos, has said that efforts are underway to offer owners of ships under Cypriot flag tax incentives to counterbalance the Turkish embargo.
Asked whether the European Commission gave its green light for granting tax incentives, Constantinides said that Cyprus is holding consultations with the European Commission, adding that the issue will be discussed with EU Commissioner Barrot.
“Let me remind you of the European Commission’s decision not to open the EU – Turkey negotiating chapter on transport unless Turkey shows in actions that it behaves in a European manner, respecting all EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus”, he said.
He noted that the embargo imposed on Cyprus has not influenced the qualitative or quantitative upgrading of the Cypriot vessel, which is ranked 10th worldwide and third in Europe.
In his statements, Director of the Department of Maritime Commerce, Sergios Sergiou, said that shipping contributes 2,5% to 3% to the state’s GDP.