International Relations

The Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for promoting bilateral relations with the Ministry counterparts in other countries. Bilateral relations are determined by foreign policy priorities of the Republic and in line with commonly accepted principles of the European Union and the international community.

The promotion of International Relations, takes into account the needs and problems of the Cypriot agriculture for which the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment estimates that can be addressed in the context of closer relations and cooperation with third countries like ministries. In general, emphasis is given to the exchange of scientific and technical information and experience in giving training and support research programs on issues of mutual interest.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment of the Republic, investing in the spectrum of bilateral relations, has recently signed the following Memorandum of Understanding (and / or Collaborative Projects), while in the process of signing similar Memorandums of Understanding with several other countries, both in the broad agricultural sector and on the environment.

-On September 29, 2010, within the official visit of Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change in Cyprus, Greece, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, between Cyprus and the Greek Republic.
-On November 22, 2010, within the official visit of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania in Cyprus, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Agriculture between the Republic and Romania.
-On March 15, 2011, within the official visit of Foreign Minister of the Republic in Ramallah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Sector between Cyprus and the Palestinian Authority.
-On May 10, 2011, within the official visit of Minister of Rural Development and Food of Greece in Cyprus, signed Cooperation Program for the years 2011 -2013 between Cyprus and the Greek Republic, pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 2 of the Agreement between the governments of Cyprus and the Greek Republic for cooperation in the agricultural sector, which had been signed in Athens on May 10, 1991.

Additionally, the Department of International Relations suggests and handles matters relating to cooperation with international organizations (FAO, IFAD, WFP) and with third countries on the development principles of the European Union and coordinates the subjects of the meetings of the intergovernmental summits of Cyprus – Foreign Countries, for Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation relating to the broad agricultural sector and the environment.

Finally,in furtherance of the Ministry’s bilateral relations, the Department of International Relations is responsible for the preparation of the visits of the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment abroad, and the respective foreign official visits to Cyprus.