The first session of the Joint Maritime Committee of Cyprus – India was held on Tuesday in Limassol, as part of the Maritime Trade Agreement signed between the two countries in 2017.
The Deputy Ministry of Shipping said in a press release on Wednesday that “the Joint Maritime Committee is an important mechanism for enhancing institutional dialogue and further developing maritime cooperation between Cyprus and India, providing a framework for examining issues of common interest and promoting specific cooperation actions.”
The session was chaired by Dr. Theodoulos Mesimeris, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, and Venkatesapathy S., Director General for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India.
“During the session, the maritime sectors and maritime ecosystems of the two countries were presented. From the Cypriot side, the sector of Cypriot shipping was presented, as well as the wide range of maritime and related services that Cyprus offers as a comprehensive maritime centre,” the press release said.
It also noted that “there was an exchange of views on further strengthening cooperation between the two maritime industries, as well as an exchange of best practices, policies, and strategies in key areas of jurisdiction and operation of the two Ministries.”
“The discussions focused on issues of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on maritime education and training, as well as the potential for attracting investments in the maritime sector of both countries,” the press release added.
Additionally, the cooperation between Cyprus and India within the framework of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) was discussed, along with other issues of common interest.
The first session of the Joint Maritime Committee is part of the Joint Action Plan of Cyprus – India, as well as a follow-up to the official visit of the President of the Republic to India and the mutual will of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, for further strengthening bilateral relations, with shipping being an important area of cooperation between the two countries.
“On the sidelines of the visit of the Indian delegation, the upcoming visit of the Deputy Minister of Shipping to India was also discussed, which will be accompanied by a Cypriot maritime business delegation, with the aim of conducting a Maritime Business Forum in Mumbai within November,” the Deputy Ministry of Shipping emphasised.
Issues related to the organisation of the Forum were discussed, and the cooperation of the Indian side with the private sector and the industrial chambers of the country for the preparation and conduct of it was also agreed.
“The visit is expected to further contribute to strengthening institutional and business relations and highlighting new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries,” the press release concluded.