PHOTOS: Giannis Pazouros
It started shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Sunday (June 19) the first voyage of the sea passenger connection Cyprus – Greece, after 21 years.
173 people boarded the first trip of the Daleela M/V, including the Undersecretaries of Shipping and Tourism, Vassilis Dimitriadis and Savvas Perdios, the Mayor of Limassol, Nikos Nikolaidis, MPs, journalists and members of the team that worked for the whole project. >
It was preceded by a ceremony, in the presence of the President of the Republic, while a welcoming ceremony of the ship, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Tourism of Greece, Sofia Zacharaki, will take place on Monday, at 19:00, upon arrival at Terminal B “Themistoklis”, at port of Piraeus.
The ship will make a total of 22 voyages this season, four in June, eight in July, seven in August and three in September.
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Statements of Nikos Anastasiadis
Finally the umbilical cord through shipping that united Cyprus with Greece, is re-established in a more effective way giving the opportunity to the citizens to have the opportunity for a pleasant vacation, said on Sunday the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis, according to KYPE.
Welcoming the ceremony of the sea reconnection of Cyprus – Greece on the occasion of the first departure of the “M/V Daleela”, which took place this morning in the port of Limassol, the President of the Republic praised the historicity of today.
“Given that after 20 years of disconnection, finally, the umbilical cord by shipping that united Cyprus with Greece, is re-established in a more efficient way, with more modern ships, but also with the most important: the opportunity is finally given to “Many citizens who wanted it so much, either because of a fear of aviation or because they wanted to transport motor vehicles and were unable to do so, to have an even more pleasant vacation,” he noted.
As he said, after 20 years, it became possible to reconnect Cyprus with Greece due to the persistent efforts of the Government after suggestions and MPs, the systematic work done by the Ministry of Merchant Shipping, both the former Deputy Minister and her successor. , Natasa Pileidou and Vassilis Dimitriadis, the Ministry of Tourism and the Government Departments in general.
Nikos Anastasiadis said that he was aware of the Government that “this is not a profitable shipping company” for this and the state should assist. And in this direction were the efforts made to the EU, so that it allows within the framework and the financial capabilities of the state, to achieve the necessary subsidy and make what we live today a reality.
“What I would like to emphasize is the important policies adopted since the establishment of the Ministry of Shipping, a reform that gave another impetus to government action,” he said. He thanked the contractor and wished like the ship “To have a good trip and to be our reconnection for both historical and national and tourist reasons”.
President Anastasiadis referred to the five Ministries that, as he said, have created other perspectives in policy making, in more efficient efficiency, in vision, in the promotion of progress and development in sectors such as Tourism, Shipping, Research and Innovation, Welfare, Culture. Reforms that, according to him, can work best.
“I just want to remind you that as a result of the efforts, since the creation of the State Department, in addition to maintaining the 3rd position in terms of Europe's largest merchant fleet, we are 11th in the world, but most importantly, we are the 1st country in ship management. “This is the largest country that hosts the largest number of shipowners,” he said.
President Anastasiadis also referred to what happened in shipping in general. As he said, the shipping companies that are part of the Capacity Tax System have almost tripled in the last decade and from 97 registered in 2012, today amount to 275. “We are talking about important sectors of the economy that employ 11 thousand employees on land and 55 thousand at sea. . “New perspectives are opened in terms of new professional directions, of course, always contributing to the economic development of the country”, he added.
The Deputy Minister of Shipping, Vassilis Dimitriadis, characterized today as an important and blessed day for navigation and Cypriot shipping in general. In his greeting, Mr. Demitriadis stated that this is a unique opportunity for “people to get to know the ship, to get closer to the sea, we are an island, to develop what we call seamanship”.
As he said, among other things, the ferry connection Limassol – Piraeus, is one of the 35 sustainable actions of the strategic vision of his Ministry. “Since the day we have drawn up our strategic plan, more than 60% of these actions have been implemented or are in the process of implementation,” said Limassol Mayor Nikos Nikolaidis, referring to a historic day. “Which will add to the great momentum that has begun in the city in recent years to upgrade cruises, making Limassol an important regional maritime transport hub.”
The Cyprus-Greece sea reconnection ceremony at the port of Limassol was also attended by the Speaker of Parliament Anita Dimitriou, the Minister of Energy Natasa Pileidou, the Minister of Transport Giannis Karousos, the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus Ioannis Papouleftos and official.
