Nicosia: Members of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association and their Turkish Cypriot counterparts held their first meeting on Wednesday afternoon at the Home for Cooperation, located in the Nicosia buffer zone. This gathering marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to address foot-and-mouth disease and other animal health concerns.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President of the Veterinary Association, Demetris Epaminondas, expressed the intention to seek a meeting with the two leaders to discuss cooperation strategies for tackling foot-and-mouth disease. Epaminondas emphasized the importance of a coordinated response to the disease with the ultimate goal of its eradication. He highlighted the necessity of a common approach and mentioned that the collaboration aims to extend to other diseases affecting both livestock and pets.
Epaminondas also mentioned plans to establish regular contact and cooperation on animal diseases and public health issues related to animals. He acknowledged the existing level of cooperation with Turkish Cypriot veterinarians but stressed the need for strengthening these efforts, as implementing consistent measures on both sides is crucial for effective results.
Representing the Turkish Cypriot veterinary association, Birdal Cihangir described the inaugural meeting as positive, noting a mutual understanding that health issues, whether they concern humans or animals, are technical matters. Cihangir expressed confidence in the development of a practical framework for cooperation and anticipated more constructive and beneficial initiatives in the future.
Cihangir pointed out that animal diseases and hygiene are concerns for everyone, which underscores the necessity of taking steps towards cooperation. He also mentioned the intention to hold regular meetings and ensure more frequent communication in urgent situations, such as the current foot-and-mouth disease issue.