Climate and water resilience, the EU’s role in global climate negotiations and the shift toward a competitive circular economy dominated a recent two‑day informal meeting of EU environment and climate ministers held in Nicosia under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Ministers met at the Filoxenia Conference Centre, in a session chaired by Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou. European Commissioners Jessika Roswall, responsible for Environment, Water Resilience and the Circular Economy, and Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, also took part.
Ahead of the meeting, ministers and delegates visited Delikipos Community Park on Feb. 5 to review Cyprus’ methodology for measuring carbon sequestration in trees — an example, officials said, of how scientific data can support credible climate policy.
Discussions focused on three areas.
The first session examined how legislation and financing tools could be better aligned to strengthen climate and water resilience across the EU, particularly in regions facing water scarcity.
Ministers highlighted the need for coordinated, cross‑sectoral action and effective implementation of the forthcoming Integrated Framework for Climate Resilience and the EU Water Resilience Strategy.
A second session addressed the EU’s effectiveness in international climate negotiations, with ministers stressing the importance of a more strategic and coordinated approach, stronger climate diplomacy and better use of external policy instruments such as trade, finance and development cooperation.
The final session centred on the circular economy and sustainable competitiveness, including expectations for the upcoming Circular Economy Act.
Ministers discussed strengthening the single market for secondary raw materials, tackling unfair competition in the recycling sector and attracting investment to close financing gaps.
The meeting concluded with broad agreement on the need for coordinated EU‑level action to address shared environmental and climate challenges while respecting national competencies. Ministers underscored that resilience, competitiveness and global credibility must advance together.