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It is with great honour that we received at the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries of the European Union, Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius. Both his visit and his general dedication to the protection and safeguarding of the environment in recent years are very important for the achievement of our common goals in terms of the European Green Deal and climate neutrality.
During the meeting with the Commissioner we focused on issues related mainly to current legislative applications and our steps towards integrated urban waste management -areas in which the cooperation and guidance of the Commissioner's office is indispensable for the achievement of our common goals in terms of the European Green Deal and climate neutrality.
During the meeting with the Commissioner we focused on issues related mainly to current legislative applications and our steps towards integrated urban waste management -areas in which the cooperation and guidance of the Commissioner's office is indispensable for the achievement of our common goals. As I have informed the Commissioner, we are working intensively to implement the National Urban Waste Management Strategic Plan 2022-2028. It is a fact that we have a lot of work to do until we reach the European targets, which are also targets of the Republic of Cyprus. That is why we asked the Commissioner to share with us good practices that he has already identified at European Union (EU) level, in order to further strengthen our efforts.
As was natural, we also talked with the Commissioner about the outstanding issues on behalf of Cyprus, which are:
1. The completion of the Decrees for the management of Natura 2000 sites as soon as possible, with the necessary scientific documentation.
2. The next outstanding issue is the improvement of the procedures regarding the assessment of projects, which may affect Natura 2000 sites, based on the Nature Law.
3. The third outstanding issue concerns the adequacy of the Natura 2000 network.
As we have also informed the Commissioner, with regard to the definition of specific conservation objectives and conservation measures for Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), we are working continuously to intensify the process of defining specific conservation objectives and preparing the necessary legislative framework in order to achieve compliance with the Directive as soon as possible.
I made it clear to the Commissioner that the political will to end any outstanding issues we have, but also to improve the procedures for assessing projects that fall under due assessment, is there. As I informed him, I have already given instructions to make those changes that are necessary to complete and close all our pending issues within a specific timetable.
Closing the pending issues is not because of infringements, but because it is a top priority for us to protect the environment and to ensure a balance between environmental protection and development. After all, as I have said many times, no development can be considered development if it is not fully harmonised with environmental protection.
Commissioner,
The challenges before us are great if we are to reach the level of efficiency and quality that we all want. Your support is very important to align our national initiatives with the broader EU policies and directives.
We assure you that we are committed to implementing all necessary corrective actions to protect and preserve the environment. This, moreover, is a top priority of the Governance Programme.
We are confident that together we can achieve the ambitious goals set by the European Green Deal and ensure a sustainable future for Cyprus, the EU and our entire planet.
(EFYs/AF/GC)
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