Limassol: Cyprus and Qatar have taken a significant step towards enhancing their maritime collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on various aspects of shipping. The agreement was formalized by Cyprus’s Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, and Qatar’s Minister of Transport, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, during the International Conference “Maritime Cyprus 2025” held in Limassol.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the MoU outlines cooperation in international organizations, education, infrastructure, and the green transition of shipping. The meeting preceding the signing was part of the ongoing deliberations at the conference. Deputy Minister Hadjimanolis emphasized the importance of this agreement, especially as Cyprus seeks re-election in the Council of the International Maritime Organization this coming November.
The agreement covers a wide range of topics, including the competitiveness of shipping, exchange of know-how on education and registry issues, decarbonization, environmental concerns, and port infrastructure. Hadjimanolis highlighted the strategic geographical position of Cyprus as a vital point for this cooperation, being the European country closest to the Arabian Gulf.
Hadjimanolis expressed a commitment to ensuring that the MoU leads to tangible outcomes, rather than just remaining a formal agreement. Efforts will be made to achieve deliverables in the shipping sector ahead of the official visit by the President of Cyprus to Qatar, ensuring that shipping remains a key agenda item during the discussions.