The first Ministerial Meeting of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and America, also known as the "3+1" (Trilateral Agreement with US support), on climate action, was held today on the sidelines of the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the President's Initiative for the Coordination of Actions on Climate Change in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (AMMA).
The Ministerial Meeting of the "3+1" scheme was convened by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Costas Kadis, as Cyprus is the coordinator for climate action. The aim of the Ministerial Meeting was to exchange views on the further cooperation of the participating countries on the issue of climate action and the definition of the framework for its development. In addition to Mr. Kadis, the Meeting was attended by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of Greece, Mr. Christos Stylianides, the Minister of Environmental Protection of Israel, Ms. Tamar Zandber and Mr. Mark Kasman, Director of International Relations at the US Environmental Protection Agency and the country's representative at the Meeting.
Regarding the main pillars of their further cooperation on climate action issues, the representatives of the four countries decided to build on the work already carried out under the Cyprus Climate Change Initiative. In addition, they decided to establish a technical committee of experts from their countries, with the aim of making recommendations on the roadmap to be followed, with specific objectives, on the issue of climate action. In this context, the Environment Ministers of the "3+1" format are expected to meet again next autumn to finalise the relevant proposals for further cooperation.
Framework for Action of the "3+1"
Last May, the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus, the Hellenic Republic, the State of Israel and the United States reaffirmed their joint commitment to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean.
At a critical time for the entire planet, the four countries decided to intensify their cooperation also in the fields of energy, economy, climate action, emergency preparedness and counter-terrorism, contributing to resilience, energy security and interconnectivity in the region.
Through this cooperation, the role of Cyprus, Greece and Israel as agents of stability in the wider region is particularly enhanced.
Bilateral meetings of the Minister of Agriculture with Israel and Bahrain
Mr. Costas Kadis, on the sidelines of the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the President's initiative to coordinate actions on climate change in the AMMA region, held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Environmental Protection of Israel and the Special Envoy for Climate Affairs and Head of the Supreme Council for the Environment of Bahrain, Dr. Mohamed Bin Daina.
Water management and forest protection and security issues were discussed with Israel, while the discussion with Bahrain focused on environmental issues of concern to both countries, such as climate change, pollution control, land resources and waste management, as well as water management.
(MAK/IC)
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