Cyprus will step up efforts to remove ‘illegal’ restrictions on its ships calling at Turkish ports. That was the message of Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades at the 30th annual general meeting of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, held on 30 May, at the Four Seasons hotel, in Limassol.
Anastasiades called the embargo a clear violation of international law, adding “Our efforts to remove these anachronistic and illegal restrictions will be further intensified as they are a clear violation of international law”.
The Cypriot President highlighted prospects from the discovery of major hydrocarbon deposits in the region and noted the steady development of the domestic shipping industry despite Turkey’s ban.
“Cyprus is one of the most modern and quality international shipping centres, having the eleventh largest fleet in the world and the third in Europe, strategically located, with excellent infrastructure, maritime specialisation, but above all the determination to do all organisational, structural and tax reforms needed for a promising future,” he said.
In 2018, 69 new ships were registered in Cyprus, he added, while the number of multinational corporations transferring their base to the island was increasing.
