An important milestone towards the creation of a sustainable agricultural sector The meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the 9 Mediterranean member states of the European Union (MED9) said the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou
The meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the 9 Mediterranean member states of the European Union (MED9), which will be held in Cyprus, is an important milestone towards the creation of a sustainable agricultural sector, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment said on Thursday , Maria Panagiotou, speaking at a press conference at the Ministry.
In addition, he underlined that the MED9 Summit is the first meeting of Ministers of Agriculture hosted in the presiding country to discuss issues related to the effects of drought on the primary production sector.
“Cyprus has the honor of presiding for 2024 of the informal cooperation in MED9, which includes the 9 Mediterranean member states of the European Union that are washed by the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia”, the Minister of Agriculture initially stated.
From the first moment, he continued, “as a Ministry we took advantage of the opportunity of this Presidency, organizing meetings of the 9 Ministers of Agriculture in Brussels before the informal Councils of Ministers of Agriculture of the European Union”. This, said Mrs. Panagiotou, “helped to further coordinate the common positions and increase the promotion of the common problems and requests of the 9 member states before the Council”.
A very typical example, added the Minister of Agriculture, “are the recent significant simplifications in the revision of the regulatory framework of the Common Agricultural Policy for the benefit of our farmers, but also the support of the request of Cyprus, as it was submitted to the Council of Ministers of Agriculture last April , in which we asked the European Commission to provide assistance in dealing with the adverse conditions faced by our farmers due to the prolonged drought”.
Ms. Panagiotou emphasized that the next important step is to host the Synod of of Ministers of Agriculture of MED9 in Cyprus from 1 to 3 September 2024, underlining that it is the first meeting of Ministers of Agriculture hosted in the presiding country to discuss issues related to the effects of drought in the primary production sector.
Specifically, the Minister of Agriculture said, the work of the MED9 Ministerial Session will be held in the free Famagusta. “It is an honor to have with us all 9 Ministers of Agriculture of the member states, but also a special honor to have with us at the meeting the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, who will participate and welcome the start of the work of MED9”, he noted, adding that the Commissioner will have one-on-one meetings with the Minister of Agriculture, where he will be informed about the problems facing the primary sector, so that the intention to solve them can continue further.
The Mr. Panagiotou pointed out that the universal request of the 9 member states participating in the meeting is the drawing up of a common policy that protects the future of farmers and the agri-food sector, food security and biodiversity.
Therefore, he continued, this session is an important milestone in the direction of creating a sustainable agricultural sector, resilient and able to respond to future challenges, especially in the face of extreme weather and drought that is climate change, as well as a integrated and sustainable water management in the Mediterranean.
The Minister of Agriculture also said that in the context of the presence of her counterparts in Cyprus, thematic visits to agricultural facilities and state infrastructure related to the wider management of water have been organized, while they will also be informed about the special problems faced by Cypriot agriculture.
“The organization of this session focusing on the threat of drought to the primary sector is of the utmost importance for us here in Cyprus”, indicated Maria Panagiotou, noting that “we live every day with our farmers, the effects of the reduction of rainfall and increasing drought in both production and incomes of our farmers”.
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment promotes joint actions, proposes solutions and undertakes initiatives, so that in the framework of cooperation and solidarity the resources and tools (financial and other) offered to us by the European Union can be fully utilized”, the Minister emphasized. “What we want is to create the conditions and opportunities and support our farmers, ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture and by extension for all citizens of the European Union,” he concluded.
Responding to a question about the plans of the Ministry of Agriculture in the event of an extension of the drought, Ms. Panagiotou stated that “we are already working on scenarios together with the Water Development Department (TAW)”, adding that she has given instructions to the General Director of Agriculture to proceed together with TAU in the long-term and medium-term plans that exist “to be able to face such an eventuality”. As he said, “we are studying and working on various actions, for which we will also inform the Council of Ministers”.
