EU recognises Cypriot sausages, lountza
Brussels has included two traditional Cypriot products produced in the mountain village of Pitsilia (sausage and lountza) in the list of EU-protected geographic indications (PGIs).
The Ministry of Agriculture welcomed this development stating that it contributes to the further strengthening of the economy and rural development. It said with the production of value-added products and exclusive local wines promotes the region of Pitsilia as a place of gastronomic interest.
According to the European Commission, the sausage of Pitsilia (Loukaniko Pitsilias) is a pork product, aged, smoked, and marinated in wine, from the Pitsilia region.
Lountza Pitsilias is a refined product made from dried meat, brine, smoked and marinated in wine, prepared from pork tenderloin.
“Production know-how has remained unchanged and has been passed down from generation to generation; it is still used today in the modern facilities of producers in the Pitsilia region,” the Commission said.
Other Cypriot products with PGI status include Loukoumi Geroskipou a colourful confectionary with a variety of flavours.
EU quality policy aims at protecting the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional know-how.
Product names are granted with a ‘geographical indication’ if they have a specific link to the place where they are made.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday the only way to end division on Cyprus is for a two states
solution, and an UN-backed federation would not be on the agenda of upcoming talks.
On Monday President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said they would only accept a peace deal based on UN resolutions, rejecting the two-state formula supported by Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.
United Nations-backed five-party conference to restart Cyprus talks is planned for next month.
The UN is set to invite Cyprus’s two communities and foreign ministers from the three guarantor nations - Greece, Turkey, and Britain - to discuss how to move forward.
U.N. resolutions call for Cyprus’ reunification under a two-zone federal umbrella.
Erdogan said statements by Greece and Nicosia showed they were disregarding Turkish Cypriot authorities, recognised only by Ankara, adding that there was no point discussing proposals that failed before.
“There is no longer any solution but a two-state solution. Whether you accept it or not, there is no federation anymore,” he told lawmakers.
“Only under these conditions can we sit at the table over Cyprus. Otherwise, everyone should go their own way.”
Though peace talks are based on reuniting Cyprus as a federal state, Turkey and Turkish Cypriots have called for a confederation or two-state union.
Nicosia refuses to discuss this formula as
Turkish Cypriot sovereign authority.
it implies