maritime cooperation — maritime cooperation — Cyprus and Qatar have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in maritime affairs, marking a significant step towards enhancing their partnership in this sector.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
The MoU was officially signed on Tuesday by Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, and Qatar’s Minister of Transport, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani. The ceremony took place during the Maritime Cyprus 2025 Conference held in Limassol, where representatives from both nations gathered to discuss future collaborations.
This agreement encompasses various critical areas, including education, infrastructure, environmental protection, and the transition towards green shipping practices. It aims to facilitate joint efforts in maritime safety, digitalisation, and the welfare of seafarers, reflecting the shared vision of both countries to become regional hubs for shipping and related services.
During the signing event, Hadjimanolis expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasising that it builds upon discussions initiated during her earlier visit to Doha a few months prior. She noted, “It is a continuation of my visit to Doha, where we discussed the signing of this memorandum.”
The Deputy Minister highlighted that the MoU is not merely a formal agreement but is intended to yield tangible outcomes and deliverables. She stated that both nations are committed to pursuing significant progress before the President of the Republic’s upcoming official visit to Qatar, with shipping being a key topic of discussion.
In her remarks, Hadjimanolis underscored the strategic position of Cyprus, describing it as the most easterly European country situated in the heart of the Arabian Gulf. She acknowledged the importance of this cooperation in strengthening ties and enhancing maritime competitiveness.
Furthermore, the agreement includes provisions for cooperation in international organisations, sharing of expertise in registry matters, and initiatives aimed at decarbonisation. Sheikh Mohammed also expressed optimism about the partnership, agreeing to collaborate on joint actions to implement the MoU in the coming months.
