Shipping Deputy Minister, Marina Hadjimanolis, underlined the significance of the Commonwealth Center of Excellence, which will be created following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, later on Friday, between the Republic of Cyprus, the Commonwealth and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI).

In statements ahead of the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting, in Paphos, Hadjimanolis said that the signing of the memorandum will highlight the expertise of scientists in Cyprus and will help other, bigger or smaller countries to incorporate similar practices.

The Deputy Minister also spoke about the organization of this Ministerial Summit in Cyprus and noted that it is very important that the Commonwealth trusted Cyprus with the undertaking of such a major event. She said that the 17 Ministers attending the Summit will decide on joint actions that will lead to the Leaders Summit in Samoa.