The Russian-Greek joint commission for maritime navigation held its first session in Athens (Greece) on June 16.

Rosmorrechflot deputy head Yuri Kostin, representatives of the Russian Transport Ministry, the Russian Embassy in Greece, FSUE “Rosmorport”, FSBI “Administration of Black Sea Seaports”, FAI “Russian Maritime Register of Shipping” took part in the session as members of the Russian delegation.

Greece was represented by the director-general for navigation, director of the Greek Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy Navigation Directorate, Commander A. Anastasakos, secretary-general of the Greek Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy D.-C. Kalamatianos, secretary-general of the Ministry of Ports, Port Policy and Maritime Investments C. Labridis, specialists of the marine department and the seaport of Piraeus.

Russia's proposal on stepping up the preparation of the Russian-Greek agreement on mutual recognition of diplomas of crew members of sea vessels and the possibility to sign it on the sidelines of the next session of the Russian-Greek intergovernmental commission for trade an economic cooperation found the Greek delegation's support.

During the session, the parties paid special attention to making state port control and agreed to expand cooperation within the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control.

The parties agreed to expand cooperation on international platforms such as the International Maritime Organization, the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation and others. The parties discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in the sphere of investments in the maritime infrastructure and nautical tourism.

Russia informed on starting cruise service of the Knyaz Vladimir cruise liner on the route of Sochi-Novorossiisk-Yalta-Sevastopol-Sochi. LLC “Black Sea Cruises” founded by FSUE “Rosmorport” is an operator of cruise service.

Members of the joint commission agreed to continue cooperation in the spirit of open dialogue. After the session the parties signed minutes.