At the EU Environmental Council held on Monday in Brussels, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Dr Maria Panayiotou, participated.
The main topics addressed by the Council were the EU’s climate target for 2040, the proposed Directive on waste, and the prevention of plastic pellet losses, aiming to reduce pollution from microplastics.
Regarding 2040, the Minister, according to a statement, said that she considers it essential for this process to take into account the realities of the member states and to be accompanied by appropriate technical and financial support.
She added that sectors of paramount importance for the connectivity and economic stability of certain member states, especially islands, such as air transport and shipping, should be taken into account.
In her intervention, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the proposal to amend the Waste Framework Directive, pointing out that it should be ensured that the targets are realistic, achievable within agreed timelines, and accompanied by support measures.
She added that the specific conditions of each member state should also be taken into account, such as climatic conditions affecting food storage and fluctuations in food waste production due to seasonal tourism.
Regarding the discussion on the proposal for a Regulation on the prevention of plastic pellet losses to reduce pollution from microplastics, Cyprus welcomed the new proposal, emphasizing the need to minimize the administrative burden on the competent Authorities.
During a working lunch, the Ministers exchanged views on “Water Resilience”.
Dr Panayiotou highlighted the importance of international, regional, and interdisciplinary cooperation for achieving sustainable water resource management.
She emphasized that it is necessary to ensure that member states, especially Mediterranean ones, have the necessary financial capabilities to access new technologies that allow independence from climatic conditions.
On the sidelines of the Summit, and in preparation for the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026, the Minister held meetings with delegations from Poland and Denmark, discussing the next steps in the framework of the Presidency Trio’s preparation.
She also met with Hungary’s Minister of Environmental Affairs, Anikó Raisz, in view of Hungary’s upcoming Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2024.
