Lefkara: The adverse weather conditions resulting from the effects of climate change can be addressed through close cooperation with the European Commission and the EU Member States, Cyprus' Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, said Thursday after a meeting in Lefkara with the EU Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra. The Commissioner said that the water problem will be on the agenda of several European countries, since the problem of climate change has worsened.
According to Cyprus News Agency, both Panayiotou and the European Commissioner referred to preparations ahead of the next International Climate Conference (COP). In her statements, the Minister said they had the opportunity to discuss issues that are among the priorities of the Cyprus EU Presidency, and which will be discussed during Friday's informal meeting of the EU Environment Ministers, but also issues that concern Cyprus. She added that she had the opportunity to explain the problem Cyprus is facing regarding the prolonged drought, and how important it is to adapt to these new climate conditions, always with the support and guidance of the Commission.
The Minister also noted that they also discussed preparation ahead of the next COP and that it was very important to determine the bloc's next steps. She referred to Nicosia's shared goals with the Commission in terms of adaptation and mitigation of the impacts of climate change. This can only be achieved through close cooperation with the Commission, but also the Member States, she said.
Commissioner Hoekstra expressed satisfaction to be back to Cyprus and added that he recently had a very constructive discussion with the Cyprus Government during the College of Commissioners' visit to the country last month. He also said that bilateral discussions are now taking place with the competent Minister on climate resilience issues. At the same time, he congratulated the Cyprus Government and especially the Ministry for the work being done to ensure that this Presidency will be a success.
He said he discussed with Panayiotou the issue of climate resilience, noting that what is even more urgent in Cyprus is everything that has to do with water and how this problem should be addressed. Unfortunately, he said, this is something that will be on the agenda not only in Cyprus but also in many other countries in Europe. He also noted that there was also discussion on how to organise ahead of the COP, and that there are many things Europe needs to do in terms of climate action. He said that Europe was responsible for 6% of global emissions and reiterated that climate change is a global problem and that it was important to ensure that the EU does enough but that others act too.