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EU Health Commissioner to Visit Cyprus Amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

Published March 11, 2026, 12:14
EU Health Commissioner to Visit Cyprus Amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

The European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Oliver Varhelyi, will visit Cyprus as part of the President of the Republic's contacts with the European Commission to manage the situation with foot-and-mouth disease. Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis announced that the Commissioner will meet with all stakeholders on Friday, followed by a meeting between the President and the stakeholders. The President of the Republic has already contacted the President of the European Commission, and there is ongoing communication to address the situation. Mr. Letymbiotis stressed the need for responsibility, composure, and avoiding populism in managing the crisis, as well as the importance of applying regulations and protocols in coordination with the European Commission. At the same time, a meeting will be held at the Presidential Palace to discuss the impact of regional developments on tourism, with the participation of representatives from PASYXE, STEK, ACTTA, KEVE, OEB, and Hermes Airports. The aim is to assess the situation and determine the next steps to protect the tourism sector.