Cyprus developed into a major shipping center, having an important impact on the international shipping scene, which exceeds the small size of the country, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said on Friday.

The President attended a dinner of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners which was held in Athens. Addressing the event, Anastasiades analyzed his government’s strategic vision in this field, stressing that the principal goal is the creation of strong foundations for Cypriot shipping in order to tackle unforeseen crises and to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

He underlined that the dynamics of the Cypriot shipping sector makes the country proud, while noting that the newly created Deputy Ministry of Shipping aims at strengthening Cyprus’ maritime policies and administration in order to respond to international competition.

"The strategic vision for Cyprus Shipping, titled ‘SEA Change 2030’, which was adopted last September, seeks to lay a solid foundation for our shipping industry to adequately deal with unforeseen crises but also to capitalize on emerging opportunities”, the President said.

As he explained, this strategic plan is based on three pillars: extroversion, adaptability and sustainability. He also noted that these three pillars will enhance Cyprus’ impact in international maritime affairs and will serve its goal of becoming an attractive maritime center. In the same context, he also referred to 35 targeted actions that complement the strategic vision for Cyprus shipping. 

On the issue of the European Union sanctions against Russia, the President of the Republic of Cyprus stressed that Nicosia "is making every effort to ensure a level playing field, to minimize the negative impact of these sanctions on the shipping sector and to maintain, to the maximum extent, the competitiveness of European shipping and, by extension, of the Cypriot and Greek flags."

Anastasiades stressed that in all his contacts with EU Heads of State and in the context of the European Council, he highlighted the basic principle that the sanctions should be targeted against whom they concern, and not against member states.