The Minister of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, presented today the Greek Presidency΄s Shipping and Maritime Transport priorities before the European Parliament΄s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) in Brussels, on 21.1.2014. The presentation of the Greek Presidency was warmly welcomed by MEPs of all parliamentary groups and supported so as to conclude successfully its legislative tasks.

“Greece took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union under really difficult economic conditions for the Greek people but considers it as a great opportunity to achieve tangible results in all the challenges that European citizens are facing today” noted at the beginning of his speech Mr Varvitsiotes.

During his presentation, the Minister of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean placed emphasis on the leading role that Hellenic shipping is playing in the global environment, stressing out that Greece as a maritime nation attaches great importance to the sea as a pillar of the Greek economy. “The sea is part of our national identity while for Europe, Hellenic shipping under the Greek flag is of critical importance since it ranks second in capacity in Europe. Therefore, it is a challenge for us to safeguard the competitiveness of European shipping,” noted Varvitsiotis.

Minister Varvitsiotis then stressed the priorities set by the Greek Presidency which include, in addition to safeguarding the competitiveness of European shipping, «Blue Growth» and new employment posts in shipping-related activities. He also stressed the importance of European port policy and the role of European ports as pillars of European economic growth, cross-border cooperation in tackling illegal migration, as well as marine environment protection policies. “Sea and shipping are employers for millions of workers in Europe. As for us – taking into account especially the difficult situation that my country is currently facing - it is vital to further develop a ‘Blue Growth’ strategy so as to create, by 2020, more employment posts for young people”, said the Minister.

Closing his speech, the Minister referred to the legislative initiatives to be undertaken by the Greek Presidency, requesting cooperation and support by the European Parliament in order to reach successful results in the near future. “We are looking forward to concluding, during our Presidency, the legislative work on a number of proposals. More specifically, the Directive on Maritime Equipment, the Regulation on multiannual EMSA (European Maritime Agency) financing and also the Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning” adding that the Presidency will thoroughly consider the proposal on port services market access and ports operation financial transparency.