Food security, climate change, and environmental protection will be among the top priorities of the new Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Christos Senekis, who also identified strengthening the competitiveness of the primary sector and supporting rural communities as his ministry's highest long-term priorities.
Speaking on Thursday during the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Agriculture, the new Minister acknowledged that the Ministry is "at the forefront of critical challenges", describing the continuous strengthening of the primary sector's competitiveness and the provision of substantial support to people in rural areas as a top and enduring priority.
The new Minister’s top priorities
The new Minister underlined that the Ministry is “at the forefront of critical challenges”, emphasising that food security, tackling the consequences of climate change and protecting the environment are top priorities. At the same time, he noted that “the highest and long-standing priorities are the continuous strengthening of the competitiveness of the primary sector and the provision of substantial support to people in rural areas.”
He added that the sustainability of agriculture, livestock farming and fisheries, as well as the protection of the natural environment, are directly linked to the quality of life, economic development and the country’s resilience in the face of contemporary challenges.
Senekis also stated that, guided by the President of the Republic’s government programme, he would work “with consistency, transparency, determination and a spirit of cooperation”, expressing his belief in meaningful dialogue with farmers, livestock farmers, fishermen, agricultural and environmental organisations, the scientific community, local authorities and all relevant stakeholders.
“The best solutions emerge through dialogue, cooperation, evidence-based decision-making and mutual trust,” he said.
Addressing the staff of the Ministry and its departments and services, the new Minister acknowledged their knowledge, experience and dedication, and expressed his hope for close cooperation, with the shared aim of serving citizens effectively and implementing the necessary policies.
In conclusion, he assured that he would work "with consistency, transparency, good governance and a commitment to the public interest’ so that, as he put it, "at the end of the journey, we can all say that we have contributed, each in our own way, to stronger primary production, a better-protected environment and a more resilient and sustainable homeland."
