CNA
The file on the registration of halloumi cheese as a product of protected designation of origin has not been closed as there is still no agreement on all five points of common understanding on the issue reached between the President of the Commission and the leaders of the two communities in 2015, according to the Commission Spokeswoman Miriam Garcia Ferrer.
Ferrer was replying to a CNA question on the matter following yesterday`s discussion in the Council of Ministers of Agriculture.
“The process aiming for the registration of halloumi/helim cheese in the EU as protected designation of origin is still ongoing,” she said.
It is based, she added, “on the common understanding that was reached that was reached by the President of the European Commission and the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus back in 2015.”
The conditions that were agreed, she said, are quite detailed, “but we are still discussing.”
“The Commission is in contact with all the parties to ensure an outcome reflecting all the elements of this common understanding,” Ferrer noted, adding that we are aware that this was raised yesterday by Cyprus.
“It is still not the case that the geographical indication is registered in the EU which means that it cannot be registered in trade agreements,” she explained.
Asked to explain the reasons for the lack of agreement on the file, the Spokeswoman added: “as explained there have been discussions by the leaders of the two communities and the European Commission. There are five points that the Commission agreed that they have to be reflected in this common understanding.” Unfortunately, she concluded, “there is still no agreement on all the points, so these questions need to continue until we find this agreement”.
CNA
