Minister vows to strengthen agriculture cooperation with Greece

Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou vowed to strengthen cooperation with Greece in the field of agriculture, during an address at the opening of the 30th "Agrotica 2024" international fair in Thessaloniki, Greece, along with her counterpart Lefteris Avgenakis.

Panayiotou said that the close cooperation between Cyprus and Greece has also been confirmed in the context of EUMED-9, the informal alliance of the Mediterranean countries that seeks coordination and cooperation on issues such as tackling the effects of climate change, circular economy, biodiversity conservation, Farm to Fork strategy and the further simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Cyprus Minister said that recently the EU Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries met in Brussels at the initiative of her Greek counterpart, Lefteris Avgenakis and discussed a series of issues that concern the agricultural world and coordinated their actions.

She pointed out that the countries of the South can join forces and contribute decisively to the formation and promotion of innovative and integrated solutions and policies, especially in view of the beginning of discussions on the future of European agriculture.

She spoke of the challenges the agriculture sector is faced with currently and added that through the Strategic Plans of the Common Agricultural Policy, interventions are implemented to promote sustainable agriculture.

The Cypriot Minister also said that support is provided to farmers for the adoption of new technologies and practices.

Panayiotou said that the first results from the implementation of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 for Cyprus were particularly encouraging and farmers showed great interest in joining and participating in various programs.

She also said that "Agrotica 2024" is a leading exhibition event for the agricultural economy, both in Greece and in Cyprus and in the wider Balkan region, and an institution that leads the way in the modernization and restructuring of the primary sector reflecting new challenges and trends.

She also said that the city of Thessaloniki, which hosts the exhibition, carries a strong symbolism for Cypriots as it is the student town of choice for many generations of farmers who were inspired by the example of EOKA hero Kyriakos Matsis, who was an agriculturist by profession and studied there.

(Source: CNA)