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EU-Mercosur Deal: What it Entails and Cyprus' Position

Published January 15, 2026, 13:29

The Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Maria Panagiotou, discussed the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, emphasizing its history of over 25 years and its broad range of products. She explained that Cyprus had expressed concerns regarding Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products, as the agreement was finalized in 2019 before Halloumi was registered as a PDO. The agreement includes clauses to protect sensitive products, such as poultry, with specific import quantities and tariffs. The Minister stated that Cyprus voted in favor, expecting a positive impact on the market, while highlighting the existence of clauses to ensure fair competition.