Delegation of the Beekeepers Association of Northern Cyprus Holds Working Meetings in France

The delegation of the Beekeepers Association of Northern Cyprus, led by Chairman Hasan Kozok, visited France on 13 November 2025 and held a series of meetings in the Touraine region and Paris with leading institutions and industry experts.

In Touraine, the delegation toured the apiary of Château de Villandry, the Touraine honey cooperative, and the Loire Valley Beekeeping School. During technical inspections, discussions focused on organic production practices, queen management methods, colony health, resistance reduction, and sustainable honey production approaches. Special attention was given to French training models and quality systems in the context of European standards.

In Paris, a meeting took place with the Chairman of the National Beekeepers Union of France (SNA), Frank Aletru. Hasan Kozok discussed potential areas of cooperation and presented Aletru with a gift—a Lefkara embroidery item. Both sides noted that issues regarding honey import control and protection of local producers remain relevant for both the TRNC and France.

During the final meetings in Paris, innovative technologies, producer association cooperation models, and sustainable development policies were discussed. The Association thanked its French colleagues for organizing the visit, emphasizing that the program opened new opportunities for experience exchange and beekeeping development in Northern Cyprus.

Hasan Kozok expressed his intention to continue international cooperation under the “produce, learn, and share” model.