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EU Commissioner Varhelyi to Return to Cyprus for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Discussions

Published March 11, 2026, 12:22
EU Commissioner Varhelyi to Return to Cyprus for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Discussions

The Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, announced that the EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety will visit Cyprus on Friday to discuss the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak with all involved parties. The visit was arranged following contacts between the President of the Republic and the European Commission. A new meeting between the President and the affected stakeholders will also take place on the same day, as previously decided. The Spokesperson emphasized the need for responsibility and avoiding populism in addressing the issue, highlighting the importance of substantially supporting those affected. The government is in constant communication with the European Commission to ensure the implementation of appropriate measures, in accordance with European regulations and protocols. Responding to a question, the Spokesperson stated that the President of the Republic has already contacted the President of the European Commission and there is ongoing dialogue with her office and the Commission itself. These efforts led to the Commissioner's visit to Cyprus. The Spokesperson reiterated that the priority is to support the primary sector and protect the country's export capacity, but with a responsible and realistic approach. Addressing the foot-and-mouth disease requires close coordination with European partners and the implementation of the prescribed measures.