Nicosia: Permanent Secretary of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Ministry Andreas Gregoriou and Secretary General of Agricultural Policy and International Relations Unit of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food of Greece, Constantinos Baginetas, signed in Athens the summary minutes of the 13th meeting of the joint committee for bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the meeting took place on Wednesday, with both parties expressing satisfaction over the strengthened cooperation achieved so far. This meeting was followed by the planning of activities for the next two years, based on the Cooperation Program signed by the competent ministers in March in Nicosia.
The updated program aims to enhance cooperation in agriculture and livestock, exchange expertise in plant and animal production, and share know-how in food safety and plant health. It also seeks to foster collaboration in viticulture and soil water resources management. Further, the program aims to strengthen agricultural research and cooperation with the Benakeio Phytopathological Institute and the Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), alongside collaboration between managing authorities concerning the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy.
The press release highlighted the significance of promoting specific actions and cooperation activities due to common characteristics and challenges faced by the agricultural sectors in Cyprus and Greece. Joint implementation of these actions is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, fostering resilient agricultural systems.
To achieve these goals, the respective ministries will undertake necessary actions to promote, monitor, and implement the decided actions.
During his visit to Athens, Gregoriou also visited the offices of EYDAP (Capital Water and Sewerage Company) in Galatsi, meeting with Managing Director Charalambos Sachinis and General Director of Water Supply Georgios Karagiannis. Information on water supply practices was shared, and Gregoriou toured the Water Treatment Plant in Galatsi.
Gregoriou additionally visited the Wastewater Treatment Center in Psyttalia, where he was informed about operations including wastewater and sludge treatment, biogas production from sludge treatment, and its utilization for energy production.