Greece elected in top tier of IMO Council members
In the elections for council members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2006-07 period, Greece was elected in the «A» category of countries with the largest interest in providing international shipping services (together with the USA, the UK, Japan, Norway, China, Panama, Italy, South Korea and Russia). Another 10 countries – Argentina, Germany, Bangladesh, India, Brazil, the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, France and Sweden – form the «B» category of those with the largest shares of international maritime trade. The «C» category includes 20 other countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the council ensures the representation of all of the world’s main geographical regions. During discussions at the IMO’s 24th session, currently under way in London, the Greek delegation focused on the following subjects: Dealing with the phenomenon of piracy in the sea region off the coast of Somalia; completing the IMO’s voluntary Model Audit Scheme for upgrading the maritime administration of member states in implementation of international agreements; drafting an IMO strategic plan and determining its activities and priorities for the 2006-2007 period; and determining particularly vulnerable sea areas in combination with the adoption of additional protective measures.
