Press Releases

Wine has a remarkable ability to unite people, just as it brings us together today in celebration and shared purpose. It is not only a product of nature and craftsmanship, but also a timeless bridge connecting cultures and histories, fostering mutual respect and understanding among diverse nations. By honouring wine, we honour our shared heritage and a spirit of collaboration that transcends borders.

The year 2024 is especially significant for the OIV, marking a century since its founding and its historic relocation from Paris to Dijon.

For Cyprus, thisyear holds profound importance for our vine and wine sector as we proudly celebrate the 800th anniversary of Commandaria, Cyprus’s renowned sweet wine. This wine received its historic award at the first medieval wine competition during the reign of King Philippe-Auguste of France. This notable recognition was immortalised in 1224 in the poem “La Bataille des Vins” by the esteemed French poet Henri d’Andeli.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the OIV Director-General and the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry for their support in organising this commemorative event honouring Commandaria’s remarkable legacy.

It is a great privilege for Cyprus to participate in this momentous occasion, held alongside France’s Ministerial Wine Conference from the 11^th to 13^th of October 2024, as part of the 45th World Congress of Vine and Wine, an event that reflects our collective dedication to viticulture and oenology on the global stage.

This Cypriot wine event celebrates Commandaria’s esteemed place in global wine heritage, acknowledging its historical, cultural, human, social, and environmental significance. Moreover, it highlights Cyprus’s unique contribution to the revival of French vineyards following the devastation of phylloxera, a crisis that ultimately led to the founding of the OIV in Paris in 1924. This occasion also underscores Cyprus’s distinction as the only phylloxera-free wine region in the European Union, preserved since the 1870s.

As Cyprus’s Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, I am honoured to participate in this event, which exemplifies our commitment to the vine and wine sector and our contribution to the OIV. Cyprus, a historic wine region of the European Union, has actively engaged with this esteemed intergovernmental organisation as one of its 50 member states, providing technical expertise and participating in scientific and diplomatic initiatives to address the evolving challenges and critical issues within the global vine and wine sector.

Looking ahead, Cyprus remains steadfast in supporting the OIV’s mission as we collectively tackle complex challenges affecting the vine and wine sector, including climate change, sustainability, market dynamics, quality, innovation, and education. The potential for synergy, shared knowledge, harmonised practices, and international cooperation among OIV member states must be fully realised both now and in the future. For this reason, Cyprus fully endorses the Common Ministerial Declaration, reaffirming our commitment to this vital intergovernmental scientific and technical organisation, our OIV.

In closing, I wish to express my gratitude to the members of the Cyprus delegation, whose vision and dedication have brought this three-day celebration of Commandaria to life here in the heart of Burgundy, a region that epitomises the wine heritage we honour today.

(EFys/MS/NZ)