Panayiotou and Kadis discuss strengthening Cyprus-Commission cooperation perspective

Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr Maria Panayiotou has underlined the perspective for strengthening the cooperation between Cyprus and the European Commission on issues related to the protection of the marine environment and the support of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

This was during a 9 December meeting with the European Commissioner for Fisheries, Oceans and Fisheries, Professor Costas Kadis, in the context of her presence in Brussels for the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

According to a Ministry statement, during the meeting, Dr Panayiotou congratulated Kadis on assuming his new duties, stressing the importance of entrusting such an important portfolio to Cyprus, while for his part, the Commissioner noted that his aim is to promote sustainable policies that include the rational management of marine resources, the protection of biodiversity and the empowerment of coastal communities through sustainable and equitable practices.

It is added that during the meeting, which was of an informal nature, the challenges that Cyprus faces due to the geopolitical conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean were also discussed, while the framework of the issues that will concern Cyprus' cooperation with the EU in the area of the Commissioner's competences was identified. To this end, the creation of a joint working group to examine the problems facing the fisheries sector was discussed.

Furthermore, it is added that an official visit by Commissioner Kadis to Cyprus in December is being pursued, where, in the presence of officials, wider issues such as the problems and challenges of the fisheries sector, the sustainable development of aquaculture and the protection of the marine environment will be examined.

Furthermore, the importance of cooperation in view of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026 was highlighted, with the Minister expressing her desire to strengthen cooperation on issues of common priorities.

On 10 December, the Agriculture Minister will have a meeting with the Commissioner for Food and Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, to promote issues related to agricultural development and support for Cyprus' agricultural sector, the statement concluded.

(Source: CNA)