Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianidis, during his speech at a Franco-Greek Dialogue event held in Paris, emphasized that shipping is a main pillar of the “blue economy”, but he also underlined Greece’s leading role.
Stylianidis stressed the need for cooperation between the EU states and the IMO to enhance the competitiveness of shipping.
Shipping main pillar of the “blue economy”
Stylianidis characterized the shipping sector as a main pillar of the “blue economy.”
He added that new sectors such as marine biotechnology, renewable energy sources, aquaculture, as well as new forms of coastal and marine tourism offer great potential in the development of the “blue economy.”
As he pointed out, “the “blue economy” will contribute to the development of the competitiveness of European shipping and Greek-French cooperation at an economic and technical level.”
Greece and France can cooperate closely
“Based on this cooperation, common challenges at sea will be tackled,” he underlined, “that is, cross-border and organized crime, threats to freedom of navigation, threats to biodiversity, illegal and unregulated fishing and environmental degradation.
Greece and France can cooperate closely in these areas as well. Today’s event is a first-class opportunity to lay the foundations of this cooperation, which will last over time.”
Greece is a bridge between the European Union and the IMO
Stylianidis promised that Greece will be the bridge between the European Union and the IMO during the sector’s transition to the era of decarbonization, the use of new zero-carbon fuels and digitalization, because, as he said, “they are introducing a new dynamics in the “blue economy.”
Concluding his speech, Stylianidis invited the attendees to the 9th “Our Ocean Conference” for the protection of the oceans that will be hosted in Greece between April 15 and April 17, 2024.
