A Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food of Greece was agreed to be updated on Friday by the two relevant Ministers, Maria Panayiotou and Costas Tsiaras, who in a meeting held today discussed, among other things, the challenges the primary sector faces in both countries, the climate crisis and issues of common interest.

The meeting took place in the context of an official visit the Cypriot Minister is paying Athens.

After the meeting, Tsiaras said that there was an opportunity to discuss many issues of common interest, announcing that "we decided to update our Memorandum of Cooperation that is in place between the two Ministries" in line with current conditions and circumstances. 

Tsiaras also said that the problems brought about by the climate crisis affecting both countries were discussed, with a view to finding a way to jointly address them. He noted that these will be highlighted mainly at the European Commission level.

"The main concern is to support the real income of people in the primary sector, to give them hope, to give them a perspective, to really create the conditions for a better tomorrow," the Greek Minister said.

In her statements, Panayiotou thanked Tsiaras for the meeting and the opportunity to discuss common issues and common challenges as well as common solutions that can be put in place to help the primary sector.

"The new climate conditions and the new data require us to update our cooperation so that it can respond to the new needs of our farmers", said the Minister of Agriculture.

Panayiotou added that the second thing that was decided is the exchange of expertise and technology and the third is cooperation and strategy, "which we should have in the framework of the Agriculture Councils in Brussels."

Finally, Panayiotou pointed out that climate and geopolitical conditions are putting food security at risk, noting that it is imperative to find solutions and tools that will provide immediate relief.