Development of the ocean pact is underway, Kadis tells CMMI

A very important effort is currently underway by the European Commission to develop the ocean pact, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Kostas Kadis said, noting that this is a strategic framework under which all policies that affect and are affected by the seas and oceans will be integrated.

Commissioner Kadis visited the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute in Larnaca on 25 April. The purpose of Kadis' visit was to learn about the Institute, present recent scientific and technological developments and achievements, and discuss ongoing initiatives and future strategic development of the CMMI. Another objective was to explore opportunities for institutional and scientific cooperation that could contribute to the implementation of European strategies for sustainable management of marine resources, technological innovation in shipping, and regional development.

In his welcome address, the Mayor of Larnaca and President of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, Andreas Vyras, welcomed Kadis and noted that "today's visit is an important milestone for our city, as it highlights both the importance of Larnaca in the European Union's broader strategic planning for the blue economy and the contribution of CMMI as a pillar of innovation, technological development, and scientific excellence."

He said that "CMMI has, in a short period of time, managed to establish itself as an internationally recognized Center of Excellence, with a strong network of collaborations, high-level research programs, and a significant contribution to the promotion of marine science and technology." According to Vyras, "the Institute's presence in the heart of Larnaca brings multiple added value: it strengthens the local economy, creates employment opportunities, and supports the retention and development of our country's scientific potential."

Addressing Kadis, he said that "your presence here today gives us the opportunity to strengthen our institutional and scientific cooperation and to actively contribute to the promotion of European strategies for the protection of marine ecosystems, technological innovation, and sustainable shipping."

He noted that "the Municipality of Larnaca remains committed to supporting initiatives such as CMMI, and we are ready to contribute actively and creatively during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026."

In his address, Kostas Kadis said that "our cooperation will continue in my capacity as Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans."

As he said, "I am doubly delighted to be here today at CMMI. I am doubly delighted because I was a member of the Council of Ministers that took the courageous decision to support the creation of centers such as CMMI with a generous contribution from the government, which complemented the funding secured through highly competitive procedures by the European Union, and it seems that this investment is now bearing fruit."

He added that he is also delighted as a Cypriot Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, because in his homeland there is such a distinguished research center, and not only in the field in which he serves.

Kadis noted that a very important effort is currently underway on the part of the European Commission to develop the Ocean Pact. This, he said, is a strategic framework under which all policies that affect and are affected by the seas and oceans will be integrated.

These include policies on offshore energy, clean energy from the sea, transport, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and blue growth in general, he explained. "These policies should be implemented in a coordinated, harmonized, and coherent manner, following a holistic approach," Kadis emphasized.

Looking at the activities of the CMMI, he continued, "one can see that they also serve the achievable goal of the ocean pact". He further noted that "the main activities and objectives of the pact will be blue growth, which requires healthy seas and healthy oceans. The protection of the marine environment."

The Commissioner emphasized that these are the two priority areas par excellence, to which other areas such as support for Europe's coastal and island regions will be added.

"Such as the development of a strong knowledge framework to support ocean-related policies, and here the role of research, innovation, and the production of new knowledge is particularly important, as is international governance, i.e., how Europe promotes its own policies in an international environment. And of course, the ocean pact should have as an integral part a framework and an implementation mechanism so that the pact is not be a mere communication exercise, but will have substance and move from the planning to the implementation stage," he stressed.

(Source: CNA)