Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Italy join forces to support European shipping competitiveness

The aim is to promote realistic, internationally applicable and economically efficient measures that will secure the broadest possible common acceptance, amid the critical negotiations currently under way at the IMO and EU level.

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias highlighted the impact of shipping-related decisions on energy, product and food prices and, consequently, on the daily lives of European families.

“We are joining forces”

Speaking at the joint press conference that followed, Kikilias said: “It is very important for us, after a period of continuous efforts, to join our voices on issues concerning European shipping, which is directly linked to the European economy.”

He stressed that 90% of global trade is carried by sea and that the competitiveness of shipping is directly linked to the European and global economies, as goods transported by sea have a direct impact on energy, product and food prices.

The minister noted that the enormous instability, problems, wars and flare-ups in surrounding regions are creating additional difficulties for global shipping. These challenges, he added, “should lead us to pursue a very prudent, realistic and meaningful policy, so that we can fulfil our duty.”

Against this backdrop, he stressed that Europe’s responsibility is not limited to short-term policies addressing citizens’ everyday needs, but also encompasses medium- and long-term planning.

“A plan must be designed for European shipping that will enable Europe to remain a leading force in shipping, energy, shipbuilding and shipyards, as well as in our ports and port infrastructure,” he said.

“Other EU countries will join the effort”

Concluding, he described the day as particularly important and expressed his optimism that other European Union member states would join the common effort.

“I am convinced that other countries, members of the European Union, will come forward and join us in pursuing realism and common sense,” he said, adding that this is “we must protect our people and our economies”.