President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiades has stressed the importance attached by his government to the protection of the environment, noting at the same time that the protection of the environment is a priority for the Government.

Receiving the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Environment Ioanna Panayiotou, President Anastasiades said that this importance is perfectly in line with “the new policy that we want to follow as regards green growth, sustainable growth and the creation of new conditions, in which we will meet fully European standards ”

In her statements after she handed over the annual report to the President, Panayiotou said that the report records the current situation in environmental issues and suggestions of very practical measures “because it`s time everything that is being said or written to be put into practice, as citizens expect solutions of the issues concerning their daily lives, the quality of their life and environmental issues.”

Waste management, energy, protected areas as well as other issues concerning the citizens` daily life such as urban environment and animal welfare were on the agenda of her meeting, she said.

In response to a question, Panayiotou said that Cyprus fails to fulfill its European obligations on issues such as waste management and energy, adding that these issues should form the first pillar.

She also refereed to the other important issues concerning transport and animal welfare, which is an issue many citizens and families are concerned with.