Cyprus–Finland maritime partnership deepens ahead of President Christodoulides’ visit

Cyprus and Finland are moving to strengthen their maritime alliance, with the two countries committing to closer cooperation ahead of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, to Finland.

According to a joint press release issued by the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus and Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland, Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Marina Hadjimanolis, and the Permanent Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, Minna Kivimäki, agreed on concrete next steps to further deepen cooperation, leveraging the strong maritime clusters of both countries. The goal is to advance a sustainable, resilient, and competitive maritime industry in Europe and globally.

A maritime business forum was held on Wednesday, 21 May in Helsinki, on the eve of President Christodoulides’ visit. Business delegations from the shipping clusters of both countries participated in the event, which was jointly opened by Deputy Minister Hadjimanolis and Permanent Secretary Kivimäki. The Cypriot delegation also visited the offshore patrol vessel Turva, hosted by the Finnish Border Guard.

On the sidelines of the forum, the two officials held a bilateral meeting, continuing the dialogue that began in March at the European Shipping Summit with Finnish Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne. The meeting included a review of progress made in what was described as already “excellent” bilateral cooperation on maritime issues, including within international maritime organisations.

Taking into account the forum discussions, Hadjimanolis and Kivimäki identified several promising areas for enhanced cooperation including automation and digitalisation in maritime operations, ship energy systems, cyber security, alternative marine fuels, maritime education, gender equality, and equal employment opportunities in the shipping industry.

In this context, the two sides agreed on specific follow-up actions and reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing maritime cooperation.

Following the meeting, Deputy Minister Hadjimanolis noted the ongoing challenges facing international shipping and the urgent need to protect the competitiveness of the European maritime industry, which she described as a strategic and economic pillar of the EU.

“Cyprus and Finland, both members of the EU with long maritime history and strong maritime clusters, have a critical role to play towards the sustainable growth of international shipping”, she said, expressing satisfaction that the two countries share common values and goals when it comes to ensuring safe, secure, and environmentally friendly maritime transport, while maintaining fair competition internationally.

“We need stronger European shipping in the world, and a competitive European maritime cluster. As maritime nations Cyprus and Finland are natural champions and allies in this field”, said Kivimäki.

She also welcomed Cyprus’ understanding of Finland’s concerns regarding maritime safety, particularly in the challenging ice conditions of the northern Baltic Sea.

(Source: CNA)