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- Ελληνικά
Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Dr Maria Panayiotou attended the EU Environment Council meeting held today in Brussels. The main issues addressed by the Council were the European Union's climate target for 2040, the proposal for a Directive on waste and the prevention of plastic granule losses in order to reduce microplastic pollution.
In the context of the discussion on the European climate target for 2040, Dr Panagiotou welcomed the launch of the dialogue and noted that she considered it necessary for this process to take into account the realities of the Member States and to be accompanied by appropriate technical and financial support. The Minister also stressed that sectors of key importance for the connectivity and economic stability of some Member States, particularly island Member States, such as air transport and shipping, should be taken into account.
Regarding the proposal to amend the Waste Framework Directive, Dr Panagiotou in her intervention welcomed the proposal, noting that it should be ensured that the targets are realistic, achievable within the agreed timeframes and that they are accompanied by supporting measures. It added that account should also be taken of the specific circumstances of each Member State, such as climatic conditions in food storage and fluctuations in food waste production as a result of seasonal tourism.
On the discussion on the proposal for a Regulation on the prevention of plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution, Cyprus welcomed the new proposal, stressing the need to minimise the administrative burden on the competent authorities.
During a working lunch, ministers exchanged views on water resilience. Dr Panagiotou stressed the importance of international, regional and interdisciplinary cooperation to achieve sustainable management of water resources. She stressed the need to ensure that Member States, especially the Mediterranean ones, have the necessary financial capacities to access new technologies that allow decoupling from climatic conditions.
In the margins of the Summit, and in preparation for the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, the Minister held a meeting with delegations from Poland and Denmark, during which the next steps in preparation for the Trio Presidency were discussed. She also met with the Minister of Environmental Affairs of Hungary, Ms Anikó Raisz, in view of the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2024.
(EN)
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