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Katseli addresses IMO assembly |
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Πηγή: Express.gr 24/11/09-12:33
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London
(ANA-MPA/L. Tsirigotakis) -- The problems of ship piracy, climate
change, and the declining attraction of young people to the maritime
profession were at the core of discussions of the 169-nation
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) general assembly's 26th
session, which opened in London on Monday, with economy,
competitiveness and shipping minister Louka Katseli representing
member-country Greece.
Addressing
the opening session of the 2-week general assembly, Katseli outlined
the Greek government's policy on shipping matters and its cooperation
with IMO, explaining that the incorporation of shipping into the larger
ministry of economy and competitiveness (development) reflected the
government's enhanced interest in shipping and acknowledges its
significant contribution to the Greek economy.
On
confronting ship piracy off the coasts of Somalia, Katseli noted that
the initiatives for ship safety were being reinforced internationally,
stressing that Greece was a participant in the EU's naval force's
(EUNAVFOR Somalia) operation "Atalanta". She added, in fact, that Greek
naval personnel are among awardees for their contribution to the effort.
Katseli
expressed her conviction that the governments of the IMO member
countries, during the two weeks of deliberations, will give their
political support to the organisation's secretary general Efthimios
Mitropoulos for additional measures, aiming at better and more
efficient coordination in the taking of measures that will boost the
security of ships.
On
the sidelines of the first session, Katseli had bilateral meetings with
Greece's IMO chief Mitropoulos and deputy ministers of transportation
of China and Singapore, during which matters pertaining to bilateral
and multilateral cooperation were discussed, according to Katseli.
She noted that China and Singapore are very important countries in the field of shipping, with different characteristics.
With
the Chinese deputy minister, discussion focused on the long-standing
bilateral agreement between the two countries, she said, adding that
she also put forward the matter of recognition by China of the
certifications of Greek seamen, while they also discussed cooperation
in merchant shipping and investments, pointing out the two countries'
strategic position in the wider region and internationally.
Katseli
stressed that Greece and China have much to benefit from this
cooperation between the two countries. She added that the climate
during the discussion was "positive", and in that context mention was
also made to the COSCO investment in Greece and the related matters
that will be put to a general dialogue. "We said that, with good will,
everything will be solved from within this dialogue and not only will
this cooperation move forward, but we also have the ability to expand
our cooperation into other sectors of mutual interest," she said.
On
maritime training in Greece, she said it was a top priority of her
ministry, while a collaboration has also commenced with education
minister Anna Diamantopoulou on a volunteer program that will enable
highschool freshmen and sophomores (9th and 10th grades) to travel for
a week on a merchant ship so as to acquire a personal experience at sea
and the life of present-day seamen, which has changed dramatically in
the past 10 years, with substantial upgrading of the working and living
conditions.
Katseli anticipated that the program will commence within the next year.
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