Filenews 12 January 2026 - by Angelos Nikolaou
With the slogan "An Autonomous European Union, Open to the World" and with an eye on the survival and strengthening of the primary sector, Cyprus takes over the reins of the Council of the EU. At a critical juncture of geopolitical instability, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, presented the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency, sending clear messages to Cypriot farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen.
But what does the Cyprus Presidency mean in practice for the people of the countryside? The report analyzes the four axes that will determine the daily life of our farmers in the coming months.
A strong income-focused CAP. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) remains the "holy grail" for the rural world. The Cyprus Presidency pledged to fight for a CAP that will not only be "green" on paper, but economically viable in practice.
Fair income: Nicosia makes it a priority to ensure a stable income for producers.
Supply chain: The aim is to strengthen the position of the farmer vis-à-vis intermediaries, so that he gets the value he deserves.
Additional funds: The Minister welcomed the Commission's intention for an additional €45 billion in the agricultural sector, stressing that Cyprus will work to take this proposal a concrete form.
Shielding against the climate crisis and water scarcity. For the Cypriot farmer, climate change is not a theory, but the drought and fires that destroy his labours. The Presidency recognises the 'national specificities' (water scarcity) and promotes:
Immediate measures to prevent and deal with natural disasters.
Water resilience as a key priority, directly linking it to food safety.
Competitiveness and Mercosur's thorn. One of the hottest issues on the minds of farmers' organisations is the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Cypriot producers fear unfair competition from third-country products that do not comply with strict European standards.
Ms. Panagiotou was reassuring but also realistic: "What is forbidden in Brussels, is forbidden to come to Brussels," she said, conveying the position of the European Commissioner.
Cyprus, as an "honest mediator", will seek to have protection clauses and a level playing field, so that the Cypriot producer is not disadvantaged.
New generation and vibrant countryside: With the countryside threatened by urbanisation, the presidency is focusing on generational renewal. This translates to:
Targeted investments in innovation and new skills.
Creating conditions for the countryside to be attractive for work and permanent habitation, offering a fair standard of living.
The heart of agriculture beats in Cyprus
The Cyprus Presidency will not be limited to Brussels. From 3 to 5 May, Cyprus will host the Informal Councils of Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries, bringing over 150 delegates to the island. The informal Council of Ministers under the presidency will conclude on 23 June in Luxembourg. It is the opportunity of the Cypriot representatives to show their European partners the difficulties of production in a semi-arid, island state.
Of course, the heart of the Cyprus Presidency will beat, and at an intensive pace, in Brussels, where the Council of Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries will meet continuously every month, promoting political discussions and decision-making across the entire range of priorities of our Presidency.
Among the other important meetings that will take place in Cyprus, the Euro-Mediterranean meeting MedFish4Ever on the political declaration adopted in 2017 for the sustainable management of fisheries resources in the Mediterranean, the meeting on the Ocean Observatory, the mechanism for monitoring and collecting data on seas and marine ecosystems, which supports scientific knowledge, stand out. political decision-making and sustainable management of marine resources, and finally, the very important Communication of the EU Strategy on Islands and Coastal Regions which aims to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of the EU's island and coastal regions.
The Minister will continue the cycle of contacts with agricultural organizations to coordinate positions in view of the crucial votes in Brussels.
