Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, is in Brussels for the EU Environment Council and other European meetings.
During the Council, which will take place on Tuesday, 16 December, an official handover ceremony of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, from Denmark to Cyprus, is also scheduled. At the event, the Minister will present the key priorities of the Cyprus Presidency in the fields of Environment and Climate Policy, an announcement by her Ministry adds.
It is noted that the Minister will be in Brussels until 17 December to participate in the EU Environment Council, as well as in other scheduled meetings and activities at the European level.
On Monday, according to the announcement, Panayiotou will attend the EU Agri-Food Days conference, where she is to participate in a high-level panel discussion focused on a strong and modern Common Agricultural Policy, with emphasis on ensuring food security and the competitiveness of the European agri-food sector.
She will also participate in the customary Green 10 meeting, organised by Denmark’s Permanent Representation in cooperation with the European Environment Bureau (EEB), which represents the largest network of environmental organisations in Europe, ahead of the Environment Council. “The meeting provides an opportunity for an exchange of views between EU Ministers for Environment and Climate, the European Commission and European environmental organisations, with discussions held under Chatham House rules focusing on the main items on the Council’s agenda, including Europe’s environment towards 2030, sustainable bioeconomy, and the European 2040 climate policy,” the announcement said. In this context, the Minister will present the main directions of the upcoming Cyprus EU Presidency, which starts in January 2026.
On Tuesday, the Minister will participate in the EU Environment Council, “which is the last Council under the Danish Presidency,” it is noted. According to the announcement, during the Council’s proceedings, Environment Ministers are to examine issues including climate change resilience and circular economy, sustainable bioeconomy, and the European 2040 climate policy. Panayiotou is to make interventions on these issues.
“In the same context, the official handover ceremony of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Denmark to Cyprus will take place, during which the Minister will present the key priorities of the Cyprus Presidency in the areas of Environment and Climate Policy,” it adds.
It is also noted that on the same day, Panayiotou will hold bilateral meetings with the EU Commissioner for the Environment, as well as with counterparts from other member states, focusing on issues of common European interest and coordination ahead of the Cyprus EU Presidency.
(Source: CNA)
