Cyprus hosts first 3+1 ministerial meeting on maritime cooperation

On September 9, 2026, Limassol will host a high-level maritime meeting at the Parklane Hotel. The event marks an expansion of the existing trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, and Malta to include Italy for the first time, establishing a '3+1' format.

The delegation will include Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis, Greece’s Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Malta’s Minister Chris Bonett, and Italy’s Minister Edoardo Rixi. Scheduled from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, the summit will focus on critical sector issues, specifically European shipping competitiveness and industry decarbonization. Officials are expected to hold a press conference at midday to discuss their joint conclusions.

This gathering is the ninth in the series and marks the return of the event to Cyprus after an eight-year interval. Deputy Minister Hadjimanolis noted that Italy's inclusion is the result of strategic efforts to strengthen regional alliances and enhance coordination on shared maritime challenges. The expansion reflects a collective agreement among the four nations that closer cooperation is essential for navigating the future of the maritime industry.