An Agrifood Partnership Platform was launched in Chisinau as an instrument for strengthening the agrifood sector. The event involved representatives of 11 EU member states and of international organizations. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea, Deputy Prime Minister, said the launch of the agricultural platform means the start of an irreversible development process in the interests of farmers, IPN reports.
In the event, there was signed a joint statement of intent between the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Moldova. “Agriculture in the Republic of Moldova, as agriculture in Germany, is in the blood of our citizens. Therefore, the development of agriculture and the placing of this sector outside any economic discussions are a priority for the Government of the Republic of Moldova. This is a first step towards the European future of the Republic of Moldova,” stated Vladimir Bolea.
Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir said the signing of this statement shows the courageous future intention of the Republic of Moldova on the path of integration into the EU. We are very glad that the agricultural sector is now very well intentioned and we, on behalf of Germany, will support this approach by the Republic of Moldova by all ways. We will exchange experiences, will have what to learn from each other,” stated Cem Özdemir.
Deputy Premier Vladimir Bolea noted that the launch of the agricultural platform and the signing of the document between the two institutions of Moldova and Germany signify the start of an irreversible development process on the European path in the interests of Moldovan farmers. “The people of the Europeans Union, represented by 27 countries, stand by the farmers from the Republic of Moldova. They have always stood by. This openness was shown by all the EU policies. We already enjoy extraordinary support on the part of the EU in different sectors – in harmonizing the legislation, in export, in the complete liberalization of the markets for the export of vegetables and fruit from the Republic of Moldova, in the liberalization of transport. All these and many other things are done exclusively as support for farmers from the Republic of Moldova,” stated Vladimir Bolea.
Within the Platform, there will be adopted also a joint statement on the support for the Republic of Moldova’s efforts to develop and modernist the agrifood sector in the process of joining the EU.