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The four countries reached the agreement during the ninth Trilateral Shipping Meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Malta, which took place for the first time in an expanded 3+1 format with Italy participating.<\/p>\n
Cyprus Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis hosted Greek Shipping Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Malta\u2019s Minister for Sustainable Mobility Chris Bonett. Italy\u2019s Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi joined the meeting online, while Ambassador Antonella Cavallari represented Italy in Limassol.<\/p>\n
Kikilias highlighted the direct connection between shipping policy and the cost of energy, goods and food, and therefore its impact on the daily lives of European families.<\/p>\n
He said the joint declaration reinforced efforts to protect the sector\u2019s competitiveness through realistic, internationally applicable and economically efficient measures. He added that such measures should secure the broadest possible acceptance during critical negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and within the European Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very important for us, after a journey of continuous efforts, to unite our voices on issues concerning European shipping, which directly affect the European economy,\u201d Kikilias said during a joint press conference.<\/p>\n
Long-term planning<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Addressing geopolitical instability, wars and renewed tensions across the wider region, Kikilias stressed the need for \u201ca very prudent, realistic and substantive policy\u201d.<\/p>\n He also called for medium- and long-term planning to ensure that Europe maintains a leading role in shipping, energy, shipbuilding, ports and port infrastructure.<\/p>\n Kikilias described the meeting as particularly important and expressed confidence that other EU member states would join the initiative.<\/p>\n \u201cI am convinced that other EU member states will come forward and join this approach of realism and common sense,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n