Agriculture ministers from eight EU Mediterranean countries will meet in Cyprus later this month to brew common positions on agriculture policies, the Cyprus News Agency reported Monday.

Agriculture ministers from Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia have been invited by their Cypriot counterpart Fotis Fotiou for the meeting due on Jan. 21, before the European Commission makes important amendments concerning the bloc's agricultural policy.

The European Commission is adopting new rules on state aid in agriculture in a bid to cut the EU's financial burden and avoid overproduction. It has also called for reform in wine sector to increase competitiveness of EU wine producers.

The looming policy shift might have great impact on Mediterranean member states' economy as fruits, vegetables and wine make up a big chunk of their incomes.

The ministers will ascertain common problems, note down concerns and views regarding proposed EU amendments in Mediterranean products and determine common positions for the future of the EU agricultural policy.

The common agricultural policy, also known as the CAP, is a system of subsidies paid to EU farmers. Its main purposes are to guarantee minimum levels of production, so that Europeans can have enough food supply, and to ensure a fair living standard for those dependent on agriculture.

Source: Xinhua