The Minister European Union in Luxembourg, the Minister of Minister of Rural Development and Food Margaritis Schinas.
The Greek minister’s remarks focused on the future of Common Agricultural Policy after 2028, the resilience of European markets, and the future of fisheries. With the central message that Europe is called upon to make decisions that will determine the nature of agricultural production for the coming decades, Mr. Schinas placed at the center of the discussion the preservation of a strong and truly European “Common Agricultural Policy,” capable of responding to new challenges without losing its European character.
As he pointed out, the current debate centers on whether the policy, which for more than sixty years has been a cornerstone of European integration, will truly remain common or will gradually be transformed into a set of national policies with limited European support. Greece has advocated for greater simplification, greater flexibility, and better adaptation to national specificities, emphasizing, however, that flexibility cannot lead to a weakening of the common European framework.
“More flexibility cannot mean less Europe,” Mr. Schinas emphasized, noting that flexibility is a tool and not an end in itself and that increased subsidiarity must be accompanied by a strong common European core, with common objectives, common basic rules, common implementation principles, and common accountability.
A strong CAP and adequate funding
He placed particular emphasis on funding for the next CAP, noting that Europe cannot demand more resilience, more investment, and greater ambition with fewer resources. As he noted, the new CAP must be able to simultaneously support farm income and the investments that will shape the future and competitiveness of the European agri-food sector.
Furthermore, the Greek minister emphasized that the transition to the new framework requires continuity, predictability and avoiding funding gaps, as no reform can succeed without adequate resources and without security for producers.
He made a special mention of generational renewal, emphasizing that the future of European agriculture will not be determined solely by the rules that are enacted, but on whether there will be young people willing to stay, invest, and build a future in rural areas.
Resilience, but also new pressures on the markets
During the discussion on the state of the markets, Mr. Schinas noted that European markets are showing resilience overall, however, producers continue to operate in an environment of multiple pressures, shaped by extreme weather events, animal diseases, rising input costs, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. The Greek minister referred specifically to developments in the fertilizer market, welcoming the Commission’s proposals aimed at providing immediate support to producers to help them cope with the increased costs resulting from prevailing conditions in the global market for the sector.
At the same time, he presented the overview of the Greek agri-food sector, noting that key export sectors continue to demonstrate the dynamism and outward-looking nature of Greece’s primary sector. Feta cheese maintains its strong presence in international markets, citrus fruits continue to post strong export performance, while Greek wine is also showing remarkable resilience despite the difficulties facing the European wine sector as a whole.
At the same time, he highlighted the challenges facing specific sectors, such as the rice market and livestock farming, which continue to be burdened by rising energy, animal feed, and transportation, as well as by animal diseases affecting many European countries.
Fisheries: Simpler rules, support for coastal communities, and a level playing field
In the context of discussions on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy, Greece argued that the objectives of European policy remain entirely relevant, but that the tools need to be adapted to the actual conditions faced by fishermen and national administrations.
Mr. Schinas highlighted the need to simplify procedures and reduce administrative burdens, noting that the success of the policy cannot be assessed solely through biological indicators but must also take into account the social and economic dimensions of sustainability.
He placed particular emphasis on small-scale coastal fisheries, which he described as a strategic priority for Greece, as it is an integral part of the identity and sustainability of our country’s coastal and island communities.
At the same time, he emphasized that the sustainable management of shared Mediterranean stocks requires strong regional cooperation and a shared commitment from all countries active in the region.
The minister also placed particular emphasis on the issue of a level playing field, stressing that it is neither sustainable nor fair for European Union fishermen to bear the full burden of restrictions and management obligations, when the same stocks are also exploited by fleets from third countries that do not apply corresponding standards and rules.
At the same time, he reiterated Greece’s steadfast commitment to the goals of the MedFish4Ever Declaration and to joint efforts for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean, while highlighting the country’s active role in protecting the seas and biodiversity.
