Cyprus supports initiatives to enhance safety and protection of the marine environment said Deputy Minister for Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis during the Transport Council of the EU held in Brussels on Monday.

According to a press release, the Council of the EU adopted general approaches on a package of four legislative proposals on maritime safety, concerning flag state and port state requirements.

Hadjimanolis supported the proposals, adding that Cyprus supports as a general principle initiatives which aim to enhance the level of safety and protection of the marine environment, while ensuring the competitiveness of the European Union's shipping industry.

On the sidelines of the Council, the Deputy Minister had bilateral meetings with the Transport Ministers of Germany and Belgium, with whom she discussed topical issues and challenges facing global and European shipping.

In a statement Hadjimanolis stressed that Cyprus attaches particular importance to maritime safety issues "as an important flag state and port state".

"We warmly support initiatives that aim to enhance the level of safety and protection of the marine environment and which at the same time ensure the competitiveness of the European Union's shipping industry," she added.

"I would like to particularly congratulate the Spanish Presidency for the very good work done during the discussions and all Member States and the European Commission for their constructive approach," she said.

"I also had the opportunity to meet with my counterparts from Germany and Belgium, with whom we discussed the current issues and challenges facing European and global shipping. In addition, during the meeting with Belgium we were informed about the priorities of the upcoming Council Presidency," she concluded.