Skopje, 3 October 2023 (MIA) - North Macedonia's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Ljupcho Nikolovski, and Germany's Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, agreed Tuesday on support for forestry reforms, promotion of organic production through innovative technologies and greater trade. 

The bilateral meeting which was held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy also discussed the Declaration signed in Sofia, as well as the Action Plan as part of the "green agenda". 

Özdemir said Germany wants to see North Macedonia in the EU as soon as possible, while Nikolovski thanked for Germany's institutional support which comes at key times of the country's preparation for negotiations in the largest cluster and in the most difficult and extensive chapters: on agriculture, food safety and fisheries. This cluster, Nikolovski added, covers 40 percent of the overall negotiations and documents that the country needs to align with the EU acquis. 

"Today we agreed substantial support from the German Federal Ministry as part of the "green agenda", to the key goal of forestry and the reforms we have started in this sector. Major support from the EU comes for the first time in the area of forestry with the start of the major reform project in March, and this is further, stronger, clear support from Germany in the area of the "green agenda". We also discussed the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

"The export of Macedonian agricultural products to Germany is constantly growing, especially after 2020, after the COVID-crisis, but there is always room for even greater trade, especially when we are talking about very friendly, open partners and especially when it comes to a strategic partner such as Germany," Nikolovski pointed out.  

He briefed Özdemir on current projects implemented with Germany's support through the German Development Bank. 

"This speaks of many forms of cooperation and many forms of support that we receive precisely from Germany, one of the oldest EU members," said Nikolovski. 

The German Minister highlighted the cooperation between the two countries within the agri-political dialogue and welcomed the fact that North Macedonia has adopted the "green agenda" for the Western Balkans, which is in accordance with the EU's Green Deal.  

"This is sustainable agriculture between Germany and the Western Balkans in cooperation with the Permanent Working Group on Rural Regional Development, which includes representatives from this Ministry, as well as experts, and I can say that they really made a great contribution to the agri-political dialogue. I am very happy to have found out that in cooperation with the agri-political part, a new law on wine has been adopted, and sustainable transformation of food systems will also be tackled. The cooperation between North Macedonia and Germany is really close. I'm very pleased that North Macedonia has adopted the "green agenda" for the Western Balkans, which is in line with the EU's Green Deal and is aimed at developing a climate neutral, climate resilient macroeconomy with efficient resources," said Özdemir. 

During his visit to North Macedonia, Özdemir is also visiting a winery, tasting Macedonian products and meeting young farmers. On Tuesday, he is also addressing the first academic class of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food and together with Nikolovski he is participating in a meeting of deans and vice-deans from the Association of Agricultural Sciences Faculties from Southeast Europe.  

Photo: MIA and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy