Britain's willingness to support and encourage cooperation between Cyprus and the United Kingdom in the maritime and shipping sectors was expressed by the country's new High Commissioner Irfan Siddique.
In remarks following a visit to the Cyprus Maritime and Marine Institute (CMMI) on the occasion of its cooperation with the Southampton Maritime Institute, Mr. Irfan Siddiq, the Cypriot Minister for Maritime Affairs, said in a statement. Siddique expressed satisfaction with his visit and noted that "this is an exciting and innovative organisation focusing on important areas such as decarbonising the maritime industry and conserving marine life".
He added that "these are huge priorities for the UK, but also for Cyprus, as the UK has a lot of expertise, which is evident in the way the Institute has been able to forge links with the Marine and Maritime Institute of Southampton. These links are really important for us because we want to encourage cooperation and development in these areas."
He also expressed the view that "this is a real opportunity to deepen our cooperation in this area, but also to show the priority of these areas, particularly the green agenda and its management."
Siddique "given that since the UK's exit from the European Union, there have been some new barriers for Cypriot students in the UK, we are trying to think of ways in which new links can be created between UK educational institutions and institutions in Cyprus to continue to offer these opportunities, which are extremely valuable and important."
The new High Commissioner also said that "it is exciting to see the work that has been done here at the Institute, which We are keen to support and sustain this area of cooperation between the UK and Cyprus."
For his part, Zacharias Siocouros, CEO of the Institute said that "we have worked closely with the High Commission from the beginning of the preparation of the proposal that created the CMMI since one of the founding partners of the project was the Southampton Maritime Institute of the University of Southampton." He explained that this University participates with the Director of the respective Centre at the University in the Executive Team of the CMMI and therefore they have an active role in the management of the Agency.
He added that "we work very closely together on very many of the Agency's projects. We look forward that this relationship with the British High Commission in Cyprus will continue further because there are many areas where Britain in maritime and shipping matters is active and there are so many opportunities for Cyprus as well."
As Siocouros said in a recent meeting we had in Southampton with the Mayor of Larnaca and the Mayor of the British city, a closer cooperation and the level of the two cities was agreed."
Asked whether there are plans for further cooperation between CMMI and other universities and research centres in the UK, Mr. Siokuros said that "there is a project currently running with several partners from the UK."
"We look forward to the continuation and strengthening of this cooperation after the UK's exit from the European Union," he concluded.
Source: CNA
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