Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy strengthen maritime cooperation
The four Mediterranean countries signed a joint declaration in Limassol to coordinate positions on European shipping competitiveness and decarbonisation.
Limassol, Cyprus. Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy signed a joint declaration on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation on European shipping competitiveness and decarbonisation.
The agreement was reached at the ninth maritime meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Malta, held for the first time in an expanded 3+1 format with Italy.
Meeting in Limassol
Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis hosted Greece’s Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Malta’s Minister for Sustainable Mobility Chris Bonett at the Parklane Hotel in Limassol.
Italy’s Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi participated online, while Italy was represented at the meeting by Ambassador Antonella Cavallari.
Cavallari has served as Italy’s ambassador to Cyprus since January 2026.
Common shipping priorities
Hadjimanolis said the declaration reflected common concerns over the future and competitiveness of European shipping, as well as the challenge of decarbonising the industry.
She said the four countries agreed that coordinated action could produce better results and give their concerns greater weight in decisions affecting all 27 EU member states, both in Brussels and at the International Maritime Organisation.
European unity
Hadjimanolis said the cooperation was not intended to undermine wider European unity.
“The unity of the European Union is important,” she said, adding that some maritime issues affected certain member states more directly than others.
As major maritime nations, Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy were “ready to lead together this change”, she said.
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