CMMI and Flanders Marine Institute Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Marine Research and Innovation Cooperation

The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ – Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee), signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the European Maritime Day (EMD) 2026 celebrations; the European Union’s flagship annual event dedicated to maritime affairs and the sustainable blue economy.

The agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening long-term scientific and institutional collaboration between Cyprus and Belgium in the fields of marine and maritime research and innovation. The MoU builds upon the successful cooperation already established between the two Institutes within the framework of the ‘AXOLOTL’ project, funded under the Horizon Europe Twinning programme (GA number 101158669).

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr Zacharias Siokouros, CMMI’s Chief Executive Officer, and Prof. Dr Jan Mees, General Director of VLIZ, in the presence of representatives and collaborators from both institutions.

This partnership aims to foster cooperation across a broad range of strategic marine and maritime domains, including marine observation and monitoring systems, marine biodiversity and environmental DNA (eDNA), marine robotics and autonomous systems, digital twins of the ocean, marine data infrastructures, climate change adaptation, sustainable blue economy development, and science-to-policy interfaces.

The agreement also promotes scientific staff mobility, joint participation in European and international research initiatives, exchange of expertise and best practices, and collaboration on marine research infrastructures and innovation ecosystems.

The signature of the MoU on the sidelines of the European Maritime Day 2026 highlights the shared commitment of both Institutes to strengthening European cooperation in support of ocean knowledge, sustainable blue economy development, and international marine research partnerships, in support of the EU Ocean Pact.