Maritime safety, transport, regional cooperation, and sustainable tourism were at the center of the high-level meetings and sessions in which Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas participated, in the context of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Mr. Tzitzikostas took part in a discussion at the UN on “Maritime Safety”, in the presence of foreign ministers from around the world, with an emphasis on strengthening international cooperation for a safe and stable maritime environment.
The Vice-President of the Commission and the Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, presented the EU’s broader position on foreign and security policy.
The Commissioner referred to the effects of geopolitical conflicts on shipping and trade, as well as the economic effects of the crisis in the Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz at the center
Mr. Tzitzikostas pointed out the need to keep international shipping routes open, stressing that this is a common global interest.
He placed particular emphasis on freedom of navigation through international straits worldwide, including Hormuz, which, as he noted, is guaranteed by International Law.
At the same time, he underlined the importance of the “No Fees. No Tolls” initiative, which is supported by the EU and provides that passage through international straits should not be a source of political pressure or revenue simply because ships are obliged to pass through them.
As he noted, this concerns not only the Strait of Hormuz, but also the need to avoid creating a precedent for other strategic chokepoints around the world.
“We are working with and supporting international and regional institutions that are responsible for the safety and security of shipping, especially the International Maritime Organization (IMO), recognizing that maintaining a stable, open, and international maritime order based on the rule of law and international law is a common global interest,” he said.
“We oppose any measures, including the imposition of fees, tolls, and discriminatory restrictions, as well as other terms, that obstruct, harm, or hold navigation hostage,” he added, also referring to straits used for international navigation.
“What happens in the Gulf does not stay in the Gulf”
The commissioner also participated in the EU–Gulf Forum, co-organized in New York by Antenna Group and the Atlantic Council, on the subject of consolidating EU–Gulf cooperation for regional security and prosperity.
“What happens in the Gulf does not stay in the Gulf. The disruption quickly reaches European ports and airports, energy markets, supply chains, tourism flows, and consumers,” the Commissioner noted.
As he stressed, transport, connectivity, and tourism have acquired a stronger geopolitical dimension.
“Freedom of navigation, resilient infrastructure, diversified corridors, and secure air and maritime links are essential for the economic security of Europe and the Gulf,” he said.
At the same time, he described tourism as an important source of growth, investment, and employment for both regions, as well as a bridge between societies.
Resilience in transport
Referring to the EU’s proposals, Mr. Tzitzikostas stressed that strengthening the EU and Gulf partnership can bring concrete benefits in the field of transport and connectivity.
“Connectivity resilience is no longer simply an economic issue. It is a strategic necessity,” he noted.
As he said, there cannot be excessive dependence on one port, one pipeline, one chokepoint, or one corridor. For this reason, he advocated strengthening existing corridors and simultaneously developing complementary maritime, rail, air, and land connections.
Mr. Tzitzikostas also gave a speech on sustainable tourism together with Prince Harry, at a Travalyst event, on promoting more sustainable choices in tourism.
At the same time, he held bilateral meetings with ministers of Saudi Arabia, India, the Republic of Korea, and Armenia.
Source: ANA-MPA