A single policy for island Greece with specific financing tools for growth is being established for the first time, following the adoption of the new Law on Integrated Maritime Policy in Island Areas, Shipping and Island Policy Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis said in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency on Monday.

The minister stated that shipping is among the sectors that are being severely tested by the pandemic and the goal was and remains the support of seamen, workers and businesses in the sector, in order to mitigate the negative effects as much as possible and help the industry recover after the pandemic is defeated.

He also pointed out that the Ministry of Shipping, by drafting a comprehensive framework for public naval education, is also proceeding with its modernisation, while for the strengthening of the Greek register, he underlined that there has been a reform on registering ships under the Greek flag, to give new impetus to the Greek registry, making it an attractive choice.

Plakiotakis added that the decisive surveillance and protection of maritime borders and the significant strengthening of the operational capabilities of port authorities, are the decisive parameters for the reduction of migration flows in 2020.