Nicosia: A protest against the EU agreement with the Mercosur countries was held on Saturday outside EU House, in Nicosia, by agricultural organizations and other groups. Protesters handed over a resolution to be forwarded to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the organizers stated that a similar resolution will also be delivered to the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and to all parliamentary parties.
The resolution calls for the immediate reconsideration of the EU's stance and the adoption of binding protective measures, while expressing concern about the agreement and its 'serious consequences for the fundamental rights of citizens, especially the most vulnerable groups.'
They argue that the slogan of a self-sufficient Europe cannot be realized by increasing the EU's dependence on food imports from third countries.
They further add that the agreement essentially favors large European industrial countries that will export industrial goods and technology products, to the detriment of Europe's small and medium-sized family-run agricultural and livestock farms, as well as European consumers.
In their resolution, the protesters note that despite the inclusion of certain 'safeguards' for products with Protected Designation of Origin, halloumi PDO, Cyprus' main agricultural export product and one of the country's top three export products, has not been included in the Agreement.
Furthermore, they argue that the claim that consumers will benefit from the reduction of tariffs on agricultural and livestock products is misleading for Cypriot citizens, as intermediaries, supermarkets, and trading monopolies will fully benefit from the abolition of tariffs.
The resolution is co-signed by agricultural, environmental and student organizations, trade unions, consumers' organizations, and other social groups.