Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanolis took part in the Informal Council of EU Ministers responsible for shipping, held on Thursday in Szczecin, Poland, under the Polish Presidency.

According to an announcement released on Friday, Hadjimanolis stressed to her counterparts the need to safeguard and boost the global competitiveness of the European shipping sector.

In addition, she said that attracting skilled professionals to the broader maritime industry should be of particular focus.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Szczecin Declaration, aimed at reinforcing the EU’s shipping, shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing capacity under the bloc’s Industrial Maritime Strategy.

On the sidelines of the Council, Hadjimanolis met bilaterally with Greek Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Stefanos Ghikas, Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Marianne Sivertsen Naess, and Iceland’s Minister of Transport Eyjolfur Armannsson.

Discussions centred on shared concerns in European and international shipping, and on preparations ahead of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The parties also agreed to deepen maritime transport cooperation between their respective countries.

As part of her visit to Poland, the Deputy Minister was also invited as keynote speaker at the 11th International Maritime Congress in Szczecin, which was attended by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

In her address, she emphasised the need for the sustainable development of global shipping and urged all stakeholders to work together towards that goal.

While in Szczecin, Hadjimanolis also held a series of meetings with shipowners of local maritime firms.

Discussions focused on the possibility of registering their fleets under the Cyprus flag. According to the Deputy Ministry, the companies showed clear interest in strengthening their ties with Cyprus’ shipping.