Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said an internal meeting on foot and mouth disease will be held later on Tuesday afternoon and reiterated his readiness to meet livestock farmers.
Readiness to meet protesting farmers
Speaking on his arrival at the annual general meeting of the Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEV), Christodoulides said he was willing to engage directly with protesting farmers.
“I am ready to meet anyone who asks me,” he said, adding that no meeting had yet been arranged.
Call for compliance with health protocols
Christodoulides stressed the need for strict adherence to health protocols, warning that violations were prolonging the crisis.
“The protocols must be followed. The reason we still have these problems is because some do not comply with them,” he said.
“As long as behaviours continue that fall outside the protocols applied in all countries, this problem will continue to affect all of us,” he added.
Government support and ongoing contacts
The president said he has been personally involved in handling the issue from the outset.
He said the government supports livestock farmers and that current fiscal policy allows the state to respond effectively to the crisis.
“From the beginning, I said that as a government we stand by the livestock farmers, so that together we can address the challenges,” he said.
Christodoulides called for cooperation among all stakeholders and said the government remains in continuous contact with organised groups at all levels.
What steps do you think would help ensure wider compliance with health protocols during the crisis?
