The Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis, participated on Friday, 8 March, in a conference organized by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU in Brussels, on the wellbeing of seafarers.

The Shipping Deputy Minister addressed the conference and outlined Cyprus’s position on attracting young people to the maritime profession, as well as the inclusion of women in shipping in general.

Within the framework of the conference, Ms. Hadjimanolis held a bilateral meeting with the Philippines Department of Transportation, Undersecretary for Maritime, Mr. Elmer Sarmiento, competent for maritime transport matters and discussed issues of mutual interest, and it was agreed to strengthen bilateral relations within the framework of the agreement signed between the two countries on merchant shipping.

Furthermore, during a bilateral meeting held with the Executive General of the European Maritime Safety Agency, Ms. Maja Kostelac, Cyprus’s strong support for the work of the Agency was affirmed, and the framework of technical, operational and advisory support provided to EU Member States was also discussed.

In addition, the Shipping Deputy Minister had the opportunity to discuss with the President of the World Maritime University (WMU) actions related to education, and also discussed with the Minister of Transport of Ghana, Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, issues related to the Commonwealth Ocean Ministerial Meeting which will be organized by the Republic of Cyprus in April, and in which Commonwealth countries will be participating.