Skopje, 7 November 2023 (MIA) — Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupcho Nikolovski met Tuesday in Jahorina with Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea as part of the annual meeting of ministers of agriculture and rural development in Southeast Europe.

The two agriculture ministers spoke about increasing cooperation and trade between North Macedonia and Moldova, identifying more areas of common interest, and boosting mutual support in the two countries' European integration, according to an official press release.

"North Macedonia and Moldova are known for their wine tradition. At the meeting, the two ministers exchanged experiences in the field of winemaking, and Minister Nikolovski presented our successful wine story we are internationally known for," the press release says.

"Macedonian wine is something we are proud of. Today Macedonian wine is highly positioned on the wine map," Nikolovski is quoted as saying at the meeting, during which he elaborated on the country's earnings from exporting wine.

Moldova's Deputy PM and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Bolea expressed his gratitude for North Macedonia's support to Moldova in its joining the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development in South Eastern Europe.

The meeting was held as part of the 17th Annual Working Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture from South Eastern Europe, hosted under the joint auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development in South Eastern Europe. mr/