Limassol: Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry of Shipping and Egypt’s Ministry of Transport convened the inaugural meeting of the Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) in Limassol, marking a pivotal step in enhancing maritime cooperation between the two nations. This meeting actualizes the Merchant Shipping Agreement signed in 2006, as stated in a press release by the Deputy Ministry on Thursday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the newly formed Committee is designed to be a permanent platform for dialogue, coordination, and cooperation on maritime matters of mutual interest. It aims to enable Cyprus and Egypt to collaborate more effectively and continuously, exploring joint areas of cooperation in the maritime sector and fostering the long-term development of their bilateral relationship.
The first session of the Committee was co-chaired by Dr. Stelios D. Himonas, Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus, and Rear Admiral Nihad Shaheen, Deputy Minister for Maritime and Logistics Affairs of Egypt. High-level representatives from both countries participated, including officials from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, and the Cyprus Ports Authority, ensuring the involvement of key maritime stakeholders.
Discussions during the meeting centered on enhancing cooperation under the 2006 Merchant Shipping Agreement. Specific agenda items included collaboration within the Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding (MED MoU), mutual cooperation and support within the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and cooperation in seafarer training and maritime education. This also encompassed partnerships between educational institutions in both countries and mechanisms for implementing joint training programs.
Additionally, the Committee addressed issues related to cooperation and development between Cypriot and Egyptian ports. Both co-chairs reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to transforming dialogue into practical cooperation and building a long-term partnership, aiming to turn their shared vision into tangible achievements for the benefit of both maritime sectors.
The next session of the Committee is scheduled to occur within the next year in Egypt, with the goal of monitoring the identified areas of cooperation from the first session.
On Thursday, the Egyptian delegation visited the Port of Limassol, hosted by the Cyprus Ports Authority. The visit included presentations on port operations, infrastructure projects, digitalization initiatives, and green transition strategies. The delegation toured the port facilities and discussed opportunities for future collaboration in this field, the press release concludes.