President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides highlighted the importance of the shipping sector for Europe's geopolitical role, while addressing on Thursday evening a dinner hosted by the Cyprus Shipowners' Association, in Athens.

As he said, the significance that Greece and Cyprus attach to the shipping sector was reflected in their joint decision that the shipping portfolio of the EU should be in "Greek hands." In this context, he expressed his pleasure concerning the nomination of Apostolos Tzitzikostas from Greece and of Costas Kadis from Cyprus, for the next College of Commissioners.

"Shipping touches horizontally all policy areas. As the European Union we must, first and foremost, approach it through our objective to play a geopolitical role. We cannot have any geopolitical role without Europe being a leading player in shipping", President Christodoulides underlined.

At the same time, he noted that he is an ardent supporter of close cooperation between the public and private sectors to enhance competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. This cooperation between Cyprus’ public and private shipping sectors is "the most successful model we have in Cyprus", he said.

On geopolitical developments, Christodoulides stressed that the negative developments in the region – including the conflict in Gaza, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Houthi attacks– demonstrate the urgent need to promote and implement policies based on principles and values of international law.

"Cyprus is proving that with actions and not with words, it can play a role in this great effort, within our capabilities”, he stressed, while referring to the initiative for the creation of a maritime corridor of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“The Republic of Cyprus can provide solutions to important regional, European and international challenges", Christodoulides noted, thanking the Cyprus Shipowners' Association for its practical and substantial participation in the initiative of the humanitarian corridor, with a donation of foodstuff worth 300,000 euros in total.

President Christodoulides also referred to the state’s duty to invest in education and training of human resources and to the supervision of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping to private marine academies.

Finally, he underlined the close cooperation between Cyprus and Greece in the maritime sector, saying that it is an important pillar of development for both countries. "This cooperation has now been institutionalized at all levels within the framework of the High Cooperation Council", he concluded.