Nicosia:The further strengthening of environmental cooperation between Cyprus and Israel was a key focus during a recent bilateral meeting. Cyprus' Minister of Agriculture, Christos Senekis, met with Israel's Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, alongside Israel's Ambassador to Cyprus, Shuli Davidovich. The meeting occurred in the context of the multinational exercise "NEMESIS 2026."

According to Cyprus News Agency, both sides expressed satisfaction with the current state of cooperation and acknowledged shared environmental challenges, particularly those exacerbated by climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Key issues discussed included water scarcity, drought, heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the resilience of natural ecosystems and urban areas.

The ministers explored opportunities for technical cooperation in integrated water resources management, desalination, waste management, and energy recovery from waste. Biodiversity protection and the management of protected areas were also highlighted as crucial areas for collaboration. The exchange of expertise and best practices on climate change adaptation was stressed as particularly important.

Both parties underscored the necessity of continuing joint exercises and training activities to prevent and respond to marine pollution incidents. They also discussed leveraging opportunities offered by the trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. In a bid to further solidify bilateral collaboration, the two sides deliberated on advancing a Memorandum of Understanding on environmental cooperation, with Cyprus taking the lead in drafting the initial proposal.