A Memorandum of Understanding signed on Tuesday by the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanoli and the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro, Filip Radulovic, concerns the mutual recognition of the certificates of competency of merchant ship officers issued by the competent authorities of Cyprus and Montenegro.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place in Limassol, in the context of a bilateral formal meeting, during which, in addition to the issues reflected in the Memorandum, issues of common interest to the two countries were discussed.

According to a press release issued by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation is part of the wider policy of the Deputy Ministry for the expansion of Cyprus' bilateral foreign relations with the aim of mutually beneficial cooperation in the shipping sector. In particular, it is added, the Memorandum concerns the mutual recognition of the certificates of competency of merchant ship officers issued by the competent authorities of Cyprus and Montenegro.

"The Memorandum of Cooperation confirms the mutual will of both the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro, as well as the two Governments to further strengthen the cooperation between them, at the same time defining the framework of this cooperation both on a bilateral level, as well as in the context of their joint participation in international organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation", the press release notes.

In her statements, Marina Hadjimanoli expressed her satisfaction, "because through the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed, it is possible to establish and develop a new cooperation which allows our officers to gain access to new employment opportunities on ships carrying the flag of Montenegro".

She further added that this cooperation will be governed by systematic communication between the parties, in areas that fall under the competence of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, while a communication channel is being opened to examine new partnerships with Montenegro.

On his part, the Minister of Transport of Montenegro said that, with the signing of the Memorandum, seafarers will have the opportunity to start working on Cypriot-flagged ships, the number of which exceeds a thousand, having "the highest standards of training, safety and quality of work, which makes this initiative vital for the future of the shipping industry of Montenegro".