LONDON - Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim said on Monday that Turkey, being a founder member, expended every kind of support and good will for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to achieve its goals.
Delivering a speech at the 25th general assembly of IMO that convened in London, Yildirim said Turkey appreciated works and goals of the organization for maritime safety.
Yildirim said, "despite the rise in maritime traffic when compared with the previous years, there is a significant drop in maritime accidents thanks to the efforts of IMO."
Yildirim said maritime, harbor management, ship construction and environment-friendly ship dismantling were important in Turkish economy.
"Being a port and coastal state, Turkey established the necessary legal framework to reconcile its regulations with the recent developments in maritime sector," Yildirim said, indicating that, "Turkey fulfills all its responsibilities. Rise in performance of ships carrying Turkish flag is not a coincidence."
Yildirim said Turkey established Ship Traffic Services System in the Straits in 2003, stating that, "Turkey is getting ready to establish new Ship Traffic Services System in all main port areas to better protect the seas and ensure cruise safety."
Yildirim also met Transportation Minister of the Russian Federation Igor Yevgenyevich Levitin and attended a reception hosted by IMO Secretary General.
Yildirim is expected to depart from Britain on Tuesday to proceed to Baku.