In the framework of the first Cyprus-Egypt Intergovernmental Summit which took place on September 4 in Cairo, the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President Mr. Vassilios Demetriades met with his Egyptian counterpart Mr. Kamel Al Wazir.
Both sides confirmed that they would advance further their strong bilateral maritime relations which are reflected in the relevant bilateral Agreement, signed in 2006.
Demetriades and Al Wazir agreed to establish a Maritime Joint Committee to exchange views and build partnerships strengthening their cooperation in regional and international shipping fora in order to ensure a safer, secure, environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, fair and non-discriminatory maritime transport sector in the area of Eastern Mediterranean. The joint Maritime Committee is expected to address issues of mutual interest such as the maritime cyber security and maritime links in the region.
The Egyptian Transport Minister Mr. Al Wazir congratulated Cyprus’ initiative to enlarge the Med MoU on Port State Control, based in Alexandria, by inviting all the EU Mediterranean Member States to become members, aiming to increase maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment in the Mediterranean.
The next meeting between the two sides is expected to take place in Cyprus, in the margins of the “Maritime Cyprus 2021” Conference (Limassol, 10-13 October).