Address by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr Maria Panayiotou, in the event marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the European Fisheries Control Agency

It is a real pleasure to welcome you to Cyprus, the EU’s easternmost Member State. We are honoured that the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) has chosen our island for the celebrations on the occasion of its 20th anniversary – twenty years dedicated to ensuring consistent, coordinated and effective control and inspection across European waters.

We are particularly proud that this milestone event is being marked here, in Cyprus, reflecting EFCA’s mission to promote cooperation, coordination, and shared responsibility for the sustainable use of our marine resources. Its mission – supporting joint inspection and surveillance operations, combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and promoting compliance – embodies the very principles we celebrate today.

Allow me to extend our sincere appreciation to the Executive Director of EFCA, Dr. Susan Steele, for leading this event, and to warmly thank Commissioner Kadis for honouring us with his presence today. Under the guidance of Commissioner Kadis and the dynamic leadership of Dr. Steele, the EFCA enhances the capabilities of Member States in the implementation of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, supporting operational action and promoting technological innovations.

The presence of the EFCA Offshore Patrol Vessel, Ocean Sentinel, in our port today, is particularly meaningful. It stands as a clear symbol of EFCA’s operational excellence and its tangible contribution to safeguarding the sustainability of our shared marine resources. It also reflects the fact that Cyprus participates actively and as an equal partner in the European family of fisheries control.

Cyprus, through the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR), remains deeply committed to EFCA’s mission for the implementation of a prudent, sustainable and responsible fisheries policy. The Republic of Cyprus, through its government programme, places the sustainability of natural resources and the strengthening of competitiveness in the fisheries sector at the forefront. The close collaboration with EFCA, which is of strategic importance, together with our active engagement in the European Fisheries Policy, ensures full alignment with the European standards and regulatory framework. 

Over the past twenty years, the EFCA has shown what European cooperation can achieve when guided by shared values and common goals. Looking ahead, our objective is to build on these achievements—strengthening our partnerships, embracing new technologies, and ensuring that our seas remain healthy, productive, and resilient for generations to come.

This day is not just a celebration, but also a reaffirmation of our shared commitment. Cyprus will continue to collaborate closely with the EFCA and its partners to ensure the effective implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy to support the efficient control of fishing activities, and to contribute constructively to European maritime and fisheries governance.

In closing, Ι would like to thank you all for your presence here today, which demonstrates our shared commitment to safe seas and sustainable fisheries for the future and for the generations to come. Our goal in the years ahead is to further advance our shared mission for sustainable fisheries and strong maritime governance across the European Union.

Thank you very much.

(EFys/AS/ΝΖ)

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