Nicosia: The 3+1 Meeting scheduled in Limassol this coming September marks the expansion of the cooperation framework between Cyprus, Greece, and Malta, with Italy participating for the first time, according to Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanoli.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Hadjimanoli emphasized that this development is the result of targeted and persistent efforts to strengthen regional collaborations and strategic alliances of the Republic of Cyprus in the maritime sector. She highlighted that Italy's attendance enhances the dynamics of the framework and confirms a shared will for closer coordination and substantive dialogue around the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of shipping.
The Deputy Minister further explained that the initiative for Italy's participation arose following her visit to Rome at the invitation of her Italian counterpart. Italy's positive response underscores the common belief that the challenges currently facing shipping require closer coordination, cooperation, and common approaches.
Scheduled for September 9 in Limassol, the 9th meeting between the maritime partners marks the return of the event to Cyprus for the first time in eight years, with the last meeting taking place in Greece in 2023. Cyprus also hosted the 6th trilateral meeting of Cyprus-Greece-Malta in 2018.
The meeting will address issues critical to the future of shipping, such as the competitiveness of European shipping, the decarbonization of the sector, developments currently under discussion at the European level, and topics expected to be central to discussions at both the International Maritime Organization and the institutions of the European Union in the coming months.
"These are issues that will significantly affect the future of shipping and require substantive dialogue among states with a strong maritime footprint," Hadjimanoli stressed, noting that Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Malta are among the most important maritime centers in Europe and internationally.