EU agriculture and fisheries ministers hold informal summit in Nicosia

On May 4 and 5, Nicosia hosted an informal meeting of European Union agriculture and fisheries ministers under the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou chaired the sessions held at the Filoxenia Conference Centre. Discussions on the first day focused on strengthening the resilience and strategic autonomy of the EU agri-food sector in response to climate change, geopolitical instability, and animal diseases. EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christoph Hansen and MEP Veronika Vrecionová were in attendance, alongside representatives from organisations such as COPA, COGECA, and CEJA. On May 5, the agenda shifted to fisheries, with EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis participating. The fisheries session centered on reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy over the past decade and addressing future challenges. Ministers emphasized the need for updated risk management and crisis tools within the Common Agricultural Policy.