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Panayiotou stresses need to tackle drought in agriculture at EU Council

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 26, 2024

Minister for Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, talked about the effects of drought on Cyprus, as well as the measures that the EU can take to support the agricultural sector across Europe, and presented the recent joint statement by the MED9 on the issue, during the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the EU held in Brussels.

During a discussion on the state of agricultural markets in the EU, Panayiotou referred to the significant impact that a prolonged drought has had on Cyprus, resulting in significantly reduced yields for irrigated and non-irrigated crops, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment said in a press release on Wednesday.

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The Minister, the press release adds, “pointed out that, due to limited water availability in dams, water supply for agricultural purposes has been reduced by 33.7% for 2024, while the forecasts for the following years are not favourable.”

Panayiotou called on the European Commission to activate the agricultural reserve to provide support to affected farmers, but also to further simplify support measures related to water management under the Common Agricultural Policy.

During the meeting, the Minister also presented the joint statement on the impact of drought on the primary sector, which was issued by the Ministers of Agriculture of the nine Mediterranean EU Member States (MED9) during a recent meeting in Cyprus.

Panayiotou referred specifically to the need for a collective response to this phenomenon that threatens food production and the social fabric of rural areas in the EU and pointed out that the joint statement reflects the practical commitment of the Mediterranean Member States to find solutions that will allow sustainable water management and will be included in EU policies.

According to the press release, the joint communication of the MED9 received the support of other Member States, in addition to the countries that had signed it in Cyprus.

During a working lunch, Professor Peter Strohschneider presented his report on the results of the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, which was presented in early September at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Panayiotou said she supports the need to further target support for farmers, with a focus on small and medium-sized farms and young farmers, as mentioned in the report. She also stressed the importance of promoting new technologies and innovation in agricultural production.

She also noted that the proposal to create two funds independent of the CAP, such as the fair transition fund and the nature restoration fund, should not limit appropriations which will be available through the next CAP in the future.

The Agriculture Minister said that Cyprus agrees with the proposed reform of the agricultural reserve, pointing out the need for a more flexible crisis management framework that will provide adequate support to farmers and allow for faster and simplified procedures, adapted to local needs and specificities.

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One In Three Cypriots Open To Using Digital Euro

by News Editor

August 19, 2026

Around one in three Cypriots say they would use the digital euro in their daily lives, despite limited awareness of the new form of money, according to the first islandwide survey published by the Central Bank of Cyprus.

With the first issuance currently expected in 2029, the findings suggest that public education will be crucial, particularly among people who rely more heavily on cash or have less experience with digital tools.

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Awareness Remains Low

Some 61% of respondents say they have no knowledge of the digital euro, while just 1% consider themselves fully informed.

Awareness is higher among people under 65, those with tertiary education and employed respondents. Among those who have heard of the digital euro, awareness is also more common among men, higher-income and more highly educated people, as well as urban residents.

Social media is the leading source of information, cited by 49% of respondents, followed by television at 30%.

35% Would Use The Digital Euro

Despite the knowledge gap, 35% say they are willing to use the digital euro in their daily lives. This is particularly true among people under 45, employed respondents and those with higher education and incomes.

Among potential users, 41% would use it for purchases in physical shops, 40% for online shopping and 33% for person-to-person payments.

By comparison, 28% say they are somewhat or very unlikely to use the digital euro.

Privacy And Cash Are Main Concerns

The biggest concerns are the possibility of transactions being tracked and fears that cash could eventually be abolished, cited by 53% of respondents.

Another 38% are concerned about security, while 25% worry about managing their spending. Some 30% have significant concerns about the ease of using the digital euro.

For businesses, 9% say their willingness to accept digital euro payments would depend on factors such as cost, ease of implementation and demand, while 27% say they would not accept such payments.