Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis co-chaired, together with the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades, the discussion on the decarbonisation of the transport sector after 2030 during the Transport Council under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Luxembourg.
The 8 June discussion focused on the revision of three key regulations for the Transport sector, including the 'FuelEU Maritime Regulation' EU legislation which promotes the use of renewable fuels for ships, an official announcement from the Deputy Ministry noted.
Subsequently, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Shipping, the Member States adopted the Council Conclusions on the European Industrial Strategy for Maritime Affairs, following the relevant proposal presented by the European Commission earlier in the current semester.
As hadjimanolis stated, “This Strategy was a key priority of the Cyprus Presidency and we are proud to have successfully promoted this important dossier, which ensures quality jobs, strengthens the resilience of supply chains, safeguards economic security and maintains Europe's leadership in a sector that is vital for our future.”
Following the Council, the European Commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, together with Minister Vafeades and Deputy Minister Hadjimanolis held a joint press conference, during which they presented the results of the Council meeting. During the press conference, Hadjimanolis referred to the main achievements of the Cyprus Presidency in the field of Maritime Transport, highlighting, among others, the importance of the adoption and signing of the Nicosia Declaration by all Member States of the European Union, an initiative with a strong political impact, which reinforces the Union's commitment to a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive maritime sector, as well as the approval of the Council Conclusions on the Strategy.
On his part, Tzitzikostas expressed warm thanks to hadjimanolis for the substantial work carried out by the Cyprus Presidency in the field of Maritime Transport, as well as for the excellent cooperation with the European Commission.
