Addressing a working lunch hosted by the Cyprus Union of Shipowners in Athens, Anastasiades said that further measures include promoting awareness about the benefits of the Cypriot flag and the country as a hub for shipping and management companies, as well as the multitude of incentives that run within European Union rules.

The president said that Cyprus is “a global shipping power,” adding that the island’s shipping sector is called to play an even more important role in efforts for economic recovery, since among others it is “an important source of income for our economy and maybe one of the most important pillars supporting the economy of the country.”

He said that one of the priorities of the government is the sustainable development of the shipping sector, and noted that the incentives given to investors in shipping will continue to be improved and updated on the basis of the needs deriving from the international shipping industry and on the basis of the European regulations and international conventions.

Anastasiades noted that the recent discovery of natural gas in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone creates even bigger prospects both for the shipping companies, which are based in Cyprus and do business in this sector and the Cypriot shipping sector in general adding that Cyprus can develop into a major energy hub of the Mediterranean.

He referred to the continuing offensive policy and the restrictive measures against Cyprus on the part of Turkey, which, as he recalled “adversely affect both our country and the development of the shipping sector, and the private and public EU interests.”

He stressed that Cyprus is making continuous efforts to lift Turkey’s restrictions, adding that the Turkish embargo hinders the implementation of the law principles and of the free competition in the maritime trade with the EU.

He noted that Cyprus could rank higher in international shipping if Turkey fulfilled its obligations.

Anastasiades also referred to the very close ties between Greece and Cyprus, which he described as “leading maritime powers” in Europe.

He said that it is “in our best interest that the Cypriot and the Greek shipping sectors are modernised both in quality and quantity and grow,” adding that mutual support, respect and the joint interests between Greece and Cyprus “lead to a common policy and close cooperation between our two countries.”

Source: Cyprus Mail