On the occasion of the Annual General Meeting of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, held on Friday, 18 September 2026, at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Athens, the Cyprus Union of Shipowners hosted its official dinner in honour of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, in a particularly warm and highly institutional atmosphere, with the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Constantine A. Tassoulas. The dinner was attended by senior figures from the political and governmental leadership of both countries, including the Vice President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Kostis Hatzidakis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Constantinos Kombos, the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis, the Government Spokesman  of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Konstantinos Letymbiotis, representatives of the European Union, among them the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and a Member of the European Parliament, Ms. Elisavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Ambassadors of the two states, as well as the Ambassador of the United States of America to Greece, Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle.

The event was opened by the President of the Union, Mr. Polys V. Hajioannou, who highlighted the strategic importance of Greek and Cypriot shipping as Europe’s largest maritime power and a cornerstone of free navigation worldwide. He underlined that ships and their crews safeguard energy security and the supply of global economies on a daily basis, while warning that European shipping is disproportionately burdened by new regulations such as the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime, especially for small and medium sized enterprises. He stressed the need for a level playing field and a green transition based on mature technology and truly available fuels. He also referred to the steady rise of the Cyprus Flag and the longstanding support of Greek shipowners. Concluding, he emphasised that the unity of Greece and Cyprus and their shared maritime vision form the foundation for a pioneering, resilient and forwardlooking shipping sector capable of meeting technological and geopolitical challenges.

Immediately afterwards, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Konstantinos Tasoulas, took the floor, continuing in the same spirit of unity and strategic alignment between Greece and Cyprus. He praised the historic role of shipping as a pillar of economic strength and international presence for both countries, noting that free and safe navigation is a cornerstone of global stability. He stressed that, in a period of heightened geopolitical tensions, the two countries share a responsibility to safeguard the uninterrupted functioning of global supply chains and to defend the principles of open seas.

Mr. Tasoulas then referred to the green and digital transition of European shipping, emphasising that Greece and Cyprus must maintain a strong and coordinated voice within European institutions so that the transition remains competitive, technologically mature and aligned with the real needs of the sector. He also reiterated Greece’s unwavering support for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, based on UN resolutions and the European acquis, underlining that stability in the Eastern Mediterranean is directly linked to maritime security and the prosperity of both countries.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, concluded the series of speeches, underscoring that shipping is a fundamental pillar of the Cypriot economy and a key element of the country’s international identity. He thanked the Cyprus Union of Shipowners for its longstanding contribution to strengthening the Cyprus Registry and noted that Cyprus works closely with Greece and other EU member states to ensure the security of international navigation. He outlined the sector’s challenges – decarbonisation, digitalisation, technological development and the shortage of human capital – stressing that every new measure must be realistic, proportionate and globally applicable.

Mr. Christodoulides also referred to the positive trajectory of the Cypriot economy and the significant achievements of Cyprus shipping, such as the growth of the Registry and Cyprus’s enhanced presence at the IMO. He emphasised that the close cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in the maritime sector is a constant point of reference, grounded in trust, coordination and a shared commitment to a strong and competitive maritime future. He noted that shipping remains a strategic asset for both countries and that their joint course in a rapidly evolving environment is essential for maintaining their international standing and strengthening Europe’s maritime presence.

The event concluded in an atmosphere of unity and mutual appreciation, reaffirming that shipping is a shared strategic asset for Greece and Cyprus. The continued cooperation between the two countries, the strong presence of shipowners and their dedication to a modern, safe and globally competitive maritime sector form a solid foundation for the future. The Cyprus Union of Shipowners will continue to work with consistency and vision, supporting the joint maritime path of the two states in an environment that is evolving dynamically.

The event was graced by the presence of prominent shipowners including Angelakos, Coustas, Daifa, Dragnis, Efstathiou, Fafalios, Goumas, Hadjiyiannis, Hajioannou, Inglessis, Kanellakis, Klerides, Koch, Kollakis, Laskaridis, Martinos, Melisanidis, Moundreas, Mouskas, Mylona, Paliou, Panagiotidis, Panagopoulos, Patitsas, Pittas, Procopiou, Saracakis, Souravlas, Stafylopatis, Stengos, Theocharakis, Tsatsakis, Tsavliris, Vafeias, Xylas, and others.