Cyprus and Bahrain sign maritime cooperation memorandum

Manama, Bahrain. Cyprus and Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation following talks on Sunday between Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis and Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

The agreement covers maritime safety and security, education and training, search and rescue, innovation, and the exchange of expertise and best practices.

Implementation measures

The two sides agreed to follow the signing with practical steps, including the establishment of joint working groups to define specific areas of cooperation.

Hadjimanolis was accompanied by Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) president Stavros Stavrou and Cyprus’ ambassador to Bahrain, Andreas Eliades.

Visit and bilateral ties

Hadjimanolis’ visit, from September 5 to 8, was made at the invitation of the Bahraini minister and follows President Nikos Christodoulides’ official visit to Bahrain in January.

The Shipping Deputy Ministry said the visit was taking place during a difficult period for the wider region and conveyed a message of solidarity and support for Bahrain, while highlighting the importance Nicosia places on bilateral relations.

Previous agreements

The memorandum builds on cooperation developed during Christodoulides’ January visit, when Cyprus and Bahrain signed agreements in areas including defence, higher education, tourism and search and rescue.

The visit also included the first Cyprus-Bahrain Business Forum, bringing companies from both countries together to explore opportunities in financial services, technology, renewable energy, shipping and marine technology.

The latest agreement aims to develop maritime cooperation at institutional and technical level and establish channels for knowledge exchange between the two countries’ shipping sectors.