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- Ελληνικά
The official handover ceremony of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment took place today, 10 January 2024, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, with the new Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Dr. Petros Xenophontos.
Speaking during the ceremony, the former Minister referred to the most important issues he encountered during his ten-month stay at the Ministry. He referred to halloumi and the importance of preserving it as the apple of our eye as it is a unique shield to protect our national product. He also referred to Akamas, the support measures for communities, the waste management units and finally the agricultural policy, with which actions have been taken to give incentives to farmers, livestock farmers and the countryside in general.
Mr. Xenophontos thanked the two Directors General of the Ministry, the Directors of the Departments of the Ministry and all the staff of the Departments for their willingness and professionalism as well as the President of the Republic for the opportunity to serve his country from the office of Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
For her part, the new Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment thanked the President of the Republic for the honour and trust and the former Minister for the excellent cooperation they have enjoyed so far in her capacity as Commissioner for the Environment. She also expressed her gratitude to First Lady Philippa Carcera Christodoulides for her continued support to the joint initiatives they had undertaken as Environment Commissioner's Office.
She referred to the importance of the primary sector in GDP and the potential it can gain through the use of technology and applied agricultural research and the exploitation of the results of innovations. He also stressed that halloumi as a protected designation of origin, protection and sustainable management of the Akamas, proper waste management, animal welfare coupled with the development of circular economy, sustainable management of forests and biodiversity, fire prevention, addressing climate change and mitigating its effects are areas he will work tirelessly and with dedication to achieve positive results.
Concluding her address, Dr Panagiotou expressed her belief that the valuable knowledge and experience of the Ministry and Departmental staff will be the guarantee for a harmonious and productive collaboration at all levels to ensure the implementation of the objectives and governance programme.
For his part, the Director General of the General Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Andreas A. Gregoriou, expressed his emotion and thanks to the outgoing Minister for his "short but productive tenure", referring to the modesty, diligence, dignity, trust and efficiency of Mr. He then welcomed the new Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panagiotou, noting that Dr. Panagiotou's arrival at the Ministry has created a new paradigm. "For the first time in the history of the Republic of Cyprus, we have a woman as Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. This in itself creates a lot of expectations," he indicated.
Addressing Dr Panagiotou, Grigoriou said that "we will stand by you so that we can adequately respond to the difficult role and mission that we have, because the Ministry, with its 10 departments, has a wide range of activities and responsibilities and our decisions affect the daily life of the citizen."
Addressing Dr Panagiotou, Grigoriou said that "we will stand by you so that we can adequately respond to the difficult role and mission that we have, because the Ministry, with its 10 departments, has a wide range of activities and responsibilities and our decisions affect the daily life of the citizen. "We will work together to implement the government programme of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides," he concluded.
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