The Ministers of Agriculture of Greece and Cyprus underlined the will to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries to protect the environment. An official statement said that the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, and the Minister of Environment and Energy of Greece, Theodoros Skylakakis, met on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 9th International "Our Ocean Conference" in Athens. The bilateral meeting emphasized specific joint actions that enhance microclimate development in urban centres, as a response to the challenges of climate change. They also discussed the issue of urban waste management and the challenges that both countries face. In this regard, views and good practices were exchanged with a view to improving recycling systems and separate collection of municipal waste. During the meeting, the importance of protecting the areas belonging to the Natura 2000 network was highlighted, with emphasis on the adoption of decrees for the definitio n of conservation objectives and integrated management of these areas. At the same time, with the aim of their protection and sustainable development, good practices for the assessment of proposed projects that could affect the Natura 2000 network sites were discussed. Furthermore, in view of the preparations for the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, cooperation with the relevant Greek Ministry was agreed. ?he two Ministers also underlined the will to strengthen bilateral cooperation for the implementation of sustainable solutions aimed at protecting the environment, highlighting the mutual desire for progress in this field. Source: Cyprus News Agency