The strengthening of maritime cooperation between Greece and the U.S., as well as issues of mutual maritime interest, was the subject of discussion for the Minister of Marine and Aegean, Mr Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, and the director of the U.S. Maritime Paul Jaenichen, during the meeting they had this afternoon on the occasion of the “Posidonia”, at the Ministry of Shipping.
Mr. Varvitsiotis mentioned the importance of shipping for our country, stressing that it is “one of our main sources of wealth” and “for this reason one of the four main priorities during the Greek Presidency of the European Union is the “sea” as well as approaching all matters having to do with the further development of shipping. ”

As stated in the announcement, Mr. Jaenichen showed particular interest in the ongoing modernization and upgrading of the port infrastructure in our country. The Minister said that emphasis was given from the beginning in the development of ports . ” The strategic goal set by the current government is to make the ports of Greece international hubs that serve international trade and the country to exploit its geostrategic advantage ,” said Minister of Marine.

During the meeting, moreover , Mr Varvitsiotis and Mr. Jaenichen had the opportunity to discuss the daily work of the Coast Guard – Greek Coast Guard maritime borders . “What is happening at the Aegean is unprecedented in size and volume. Think of a patrol boat of Greece in the Aegean flipped 8 times faster than any other Coast Guard of the world . Having rescued more than 4,500 illegal immigrants in recent months , the Coast Guard safeguards at this time not only the borders of Greece , but throughout Europe , “said the Minister of Shipping .

Mr. Varvitsiotis referred constantly to the Director of the U.S. Maritime Administration ,that there is a paradox that while incidents of attempted entry of illegal immigrants from the maritime border increased in recent years , funding from the FRONTEX constantly diminishing, and restored once again its request to the American side so that it can assist the Greek Coast Guard , providing operational support and additional expertise .