Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Nicos Kouyialis has expressed his conviction that any problems hindering the publication of the local Cypriot cheese, halloumi, as one of Protected Designation of Origin will soon be overcome.
In statements to the press and replying to questions in Parliament, on Friday, Kouyialis said that the matter is in the hands of European Commissioner Jean – Claude Juncker who will be presenting it before the College of Commissioners in order for it to be forwarded for publication in the official journal of the EU. He spoke of the determination Juncker has shown to resolve the matter.
He explained that during a meeting on Thursday between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, Juncker and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci they discussed two aspects of the matter.
The first has to do with an independent mechanism which will conduct checks for verification of the PDO, he explained, while the other is the way in which Turkish Cypriots will trade haloumi.
As you know, he pointed out, the acquis communautaire is not implemented in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, therefore a specific contingency must be made. To this extent he explained that the Green Line regulation might have to be amended, something which will be discussed on a political level.
“I hope that both problems will be overcome very soon and that publication will take place.” Kouyialis noted.
Replying to questions on the mechanism conducting the quality controls, he explained that it will be a company which specialises in this type of thing, adding that that the company would answer to the Ministry of Agriculture and the relevant European Commissioner. He also said that the same company would oversee the product in both the government controlled and the occupied areas of the Republic.
Juncker, who is paying Cyprus a two day visit, announced yesterday that “after tough discussions” with the two leaders, “we found a common understanding as far as the geographic protection of halloumi/helim cheese under EU law is concerned”.