Katseli addresses IMO assembly

    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.