Brussels: Cyprus' Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, is currently in Brussels to attend the EU Environment Council and participate in other European meetings.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Panayiotou's visit coincides with the official handover ceremony of the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Denmark to Cyprus, scheduled to take place during the Council meeting on Tuesday. At this event, Panayiotou will outline the key priorities of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency in the fields of Environment and Climate Policy.
The Ministry's announcement highlights that Panayiotou will remain in Brussels until 17 December to engage in the EU Environment Council and other significant meetings. On Monday, she will attend the EU Agri-Food Days conference and participate in a high-level panel discussion focusing on a robust and modern Common Agricultural Policy. This panel will emphasize food security and the competitiveness of the European agri-food sector.
Additionally, Panayiotou will be part of the Green 10 meeting organized by Denmark's Permanent Representation in cooperation with the European Environment Bureau. This gathering offers EU Ministers for Environment and Climate, the European Commission, and European environmental organizations a platform to exchange views under Chatham House rules. Discussions will address Europe's environment towards 2030, sustainable bioeconomy, and the European 2040 climate policy. In this forum, Panayiotou will present the main directions of the Cyprus EU Presidency, which begins in January 2026.
During Tuesday's EU Environment Council, the last under the Danish Presidency, Environment Ministers will examine climate change resilience, circular economy, sustainable bioeconomy, and the European 2040 climate policy. Panayiotou is expected to contribute to these discussions and will also participate in the official handover ceremony. On the same day, she plans to hold bilateral meetings with the EU Commissioner for the Environment and counterparts from other member states to discuss issues of common European interest and coordination in anticipation of the Cyprus EU Presidency.