Minister Canney attends Informal Transport and Maritime Councils in Cyprus ahead of upcoming role as chair of EU Transport Council
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From: Department of Transport
- Published on: 29 April 2026
- Last updated on: 29 April 2026
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, today represented Ireland at two informal meetings of EU Ministers held in Nicosia, Cyprus: an Informal Transport Council followed by an Informal Maritime (Shipping) Council in the afternoon.
Cyprus currently holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Informal Transport Council was hosted by Minister for Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades, while the informal Maritime Council was hosted by the Cypriot Deputy Shipping Minister, Marina Hadjimanolis.
Across both informal meetings, Minister Canney also held engagements with fellow EU leaders and key partners in preparation for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2026.
At the Informal Transport Council, Ministers discussed accelerating the deployment of interoperable railway technologies in Europe; and strengthening European ports as key pillars of transport resilience, competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
The Informal Maritime Council saw Minister Canney join fellow EU Ministers in signing the Lefkosia Declaration on Enhancing Seafarers’ Education and Training and Promoting Equal Participation of Women in the Shipping Industry, highlighting the importance of modernising maritime education and training, promoting sustainable maritime careers and advancing gender equality.
“Now more than ever, coordinated action at EU level in the Transport sector is needed. As I look forward to representing Ireland as Chair of the Transport Council during our Presidency of the Council of the EU, and from speaking with fellow EU Ministers today, I’m encouraged by the strong commitment around the table to working together to respond to the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East with resilience and solidarity.
“I was also pleased to hold bilateral meetings with Ministers from Greece, Lithuania, Spain, Denmark, and with Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, to discuss Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.”Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney
“There’s no point in developing modern Port infrastructure at EU level that is not matched by a strategic approach to modernising seafarer education and ensuring equal access to opportunities in this vital sector. Ireland sees this Declaration as an important step in ensuring Europe’s maritime workforce is equipped for future challenges.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, commenting on the signing of the Lefkosia Declaration