The problem of illegal killing of wild birds still exists in Cyprus, despite considerable efforts by the state to terminate it, Interior Minister Neoklis Sylikiotis said today.

He added that Cyprus will try to minimize the problem, while chairing the Presidency of the EU Council, during the second term of 2012.

Sylikiotis was speaking during a conference, in Larnaca, in the eastern coast of Cyprus, organised by the Council of Europe and the Republic of Cyprus.

He added that the problem of illegal killing of birds adds to the many other problems wild life is facing today. The government has the political will to move forward, towards the right direction, Sylikotis said, pledging to crack down any form of illegal activity.