Cyprus secures more funds at Agriculture & Fisheries Council

Cyprus secured EUR29 mln euro for the period 2009-2015 within the framework of the negotiations at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council to review the Common Organization of the market in wine while zivania was registered as PDO (protected designation of origin) of Cyprus, while ouzo was registered as PDO of Greece and Cyprus.
Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Fotis Fotiou represented Cyprus at the negotiations, accompanied by Yiannakis Georgiades, head of the Wine Products Council. The Council convened under Jaime SILVA, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries of Portugal.
A statement by the Cypriot minister said that the final proposal satisfied Cyprus’ demand for additional funds and was a success because it secures the further development of the wine sector.
Fotiou underlined that Cyprus was unfairly treated by being allocated 18 million euro in the past.
The Council also approved a new regulation for spirits, which declared Zivania and Ouzo as products with protected designation of origin Cyprus and Greece.
In the fisheries deliberations, Cyprus maintained its quota on bluefin tuna, a development that is considered very important for the fisheries policy of the island.