The strengthening and attractiveness of the maritime profession, the complex geopolitical developments and their impact on shipping, as well as the progress of implementing the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions were discussed at a meeting held in London between the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Christos Stylianides and the Secretary-General of the IMO Arsenio Dominguez, at the IMO headquarters on 29 January 2025.
Stylianides and Dominguez confirmed the converging views of the two sides on the major issues of concern to international shipping and seafarers, as well as Greece’s full support for the work of the IMO.
The Greek minister also visited the UK Department of Transport and met with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport Mike Kane, on the occasion of the signing of the “Memorandum of Understanding between Greece and the United Kingdom.” (see photo above).
In the context of the bilateral meeting, which preceded the signing of the Memorandum, the high level of cooperation and the excellent relations between the two countries in the sector of maritime transport were confirmed, as well as the intention to further strengthen cooperation based on the existing bilateral institutional framework of cooperation and international organisations.
The two ministers also signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” in the Merchant Shipping Sector, aiming at the strengthening of cooperation on maritime transport issues, ensuring the sustainable growth of shipping, promotion of green shipping and an upgrade of human resources in shipping.
The cooperation envisaged by the Memorandum concerns, in particular, the areas of maritime safety, education, protection of the marine environment and facilitation of shipping.
It will be implemented through actions such as the exchange of expertise and know-how, the organisation of conferences and educational activities, and the encouragement of private-sector participation in the search for optimal solutions to the issues facing international shipping.
The Minister paid also a visit at the Headquarters of the Allied Maritime Command.
Afterwards the Minister gave a press conference at the Hyatt Regency on the Albert Embankment close to the IMO HQs; initially there were statements on camera and thereafter a briefing in the presence of Greece’s Ambassador Yannis Tsaousis, officials from the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy, the General Counsellor – Public Diplomacy Office Ms Mariana Varvarrigou, Stefanos Dimitriadis also from the Public Diplomacy Office and six London based journalists.
We were fortunate to stress some important issues- Terrorists, Migrants and others which the Minister responded.
