Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis participated in a conference organised by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU on seafarers' living conditions that took place on Friday. During her stay in the Belgian capital, Hadjimanolis held a series of bilateral meetings. 

According to a press release issued by the Deputy Ministry, addressing the conference, Hadjmanolis referred to Cyprus' positions on attracting young people to the maritime profession, but also the inclusion of women in shipping in general.

On the sidelines of the conference, she held a meeting with Deputy Secretary of Transport of the Philippines, Elmer Sarmiento, responsible for maritime transport matters, with whom she discussed issues of common interest. They also agreed to strengthen bilateral relations within the framework of the agreement signed by the two countries regarding merchant shipping.

Hadjimanolis also held a meeting with the Director General of the European Maritime Safety Organisation, Maja Kostelac, during which she reaffirmed the strong support of Cyprus to the work of the Organisation and discussed the framework of the technical, operational and advisory support provided to the member states.

The Deputy Minister also discussed with the President of the World Maritime University (WMU) actions related to education and discussed with the Minister of Transport of Ghana, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, issues related to the Ministerial Summit on Oceans that Cyprus is organising in April with the participation of Commonwealth countries.