_: PRESS STATEMENT Working visit of the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President to Brussels 28-30 September 2026 The Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis, departs today, Monday, 28 September 2026, for Brussels, following an official invitation from the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, to participate in the Connecting Europe Days 2026, a flagship event on transport, connectivity and strategic infrastructure. The Shipping Deputy Minister's participation forms part of the Republic of Cyprus' active contribution to shaping European transport and maritime policies, as well as the Shipping Deputy Ministry's continuous efforts to promote a competitive, resilient and sustainable European maritime sector. As part of the event, Ms. Hadjimanolis will participate as a speaker in the high-level plenary session entitled 'Gateways to Europe and the World: Ports and the Maritime Sector in Transition' on September 29, where she will d iscuss the challenges and prospects facing the European maritime sector in light of geopolitical developments, the energy transition, competitiveness, resilience and decarbonisation.