The Council of Ministers approved on Wednesday the National Maritime Spatial Plan.

In a statement after the Cabinet's meeting, the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Marina Hadjimanolis, said that the National Maritime Spatial Plan determines the spatial and temporal distribution of relevant current and future activities and uses in the Republic's maritime waters.

She said that the aim of the plan is to contribute to the support and promotion of sustainable development in the sea, applying an ecosystem approach, taking into account social, economic, environmental and cultural aspects, as well as promoting the coexistence of relevant activities and uses.

"Through the Maritime Spatial Planning the Republic aims to contribute to the sustainable development of the energy sector at sea, including Renewable Energy Sources, maritime transport and the sectors of fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, the extraction of raw materials, as well as the protection of maritime antiquities and the preservation and improvement of the environment, including resilience to the effects of climate change," said Hadjimanolis.

She also noted that the Maritime Spatial Plan includes all existing and proposed maritime projects in the energy sector, such as the hydrocarbon exploration blocks, the East Med gas pipeline and the EuroAsia Interconnector project of common interest.

According to the Shipping Deputy Minister, provision is also made for the proper siting of the Energy Centre, which includes all future planning and energy infrastructure.