The Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Stefanos Ghikas , referred to the strong economic relations and bonds of friendship that unite Greece and Japan , during the meeting he had at the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy, with a five-member Japanese Parliamentary Delegation , led by the Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Research, Technology and Innovation Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ryu Hirofumi , who is visiting our country.
The delegation was accompanied by the Ambassador of Japan in Athens, Mr. Koichi Ito .
The Deputy Minister, addressing the Japanese Delegation after welcoming them to our country, stated that:
“We look forward to strengthening and further strengthening our bilateral relations based on the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed in January 2023 by the Leaders of our two countries, which adds new momentum to our relations . “
On issues related to the Maritime sector, the Deputy Minister referred in particular to the Greek government’s efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the use of RES, as well as to the “green transition” of Shipping, within the framework of the IMO, noting:
“We look forward to the continuation of the amicable cooperation between Greece and Japan and to mutual support within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and in view of the procedures for the election of the IMO Council for the two-year period 2026-2027, where Greece and Japan have submitted candidacies for “Category A” Members.”
And of course, our cooperation will extend to other issues of the crucial Organization’s Summit in the Fall.”
The Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, in particular, emphasized the choice of Japanese shipyards by Greek shipowners for construction and upgrade works and noted that Japan, after China and South Korea, is the 3rd preference of Greek shipowners for the construction of new ships, mainly Bulk Carriers and LNG. He also emphasized that over the last 60 years, over 1500 ocean-going ships of Greek interests have been built in Japan.
Mr. Gikas also referred to the possibility of further cooperation between the two countries in the field of safety and freedom of navigation, based on the principles of International Law and the Law of the Sea, emphasizing that Greece attaches particular importance to the issue, which it has also raised at the UN Security Council .
For its part, the Japanese Delegation also expressed its desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the maritime sector, as well as on issues of new technologies, green transition and renewable energy sources.
He also fully agreed with the necessity of ensuring safe and unimpeded navigation based on International Law .
Mr. Gikas finally noted that Japan has been proposed to be the honored country at the TIF in 2026, while he referred to last year’s visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Kako of Japan to Athens and Corfu , which was a major event, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
