The RA Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan received the delegation headed by the Head of the Unit of Neighbourhood East, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission Mathieu Bousquet. 

 

“The agricultural sector of Armenia as a priority sector of the country’s economy has recorded dynamic growth in recent years, which was largely promoted by the European Union and joint projects with international organizations, including the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) aimed at the creation and development of cooperatives. This programme has been successful and has yielded tangible results and I hope it will continue” Sergo Karapetyan said, welcoming the guests.

 

The meeting focused on the budget support programs of Neighbourhood East agriculture and rural development and the preconditions of the implementation of programs within the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

Sergo Karapetyan noted that in 2015 the country adopted the law on “Agricultural Cooperatives”, the Ministry created a structural subdivision of agricultural cooperatives and around 50 training courses of the cooperative activities were conducted in all regions. This year about 45 new cooperatives will be set by the support of the European Union.

 

The Minister also stressed that the Ministry of Agriculture is consistent with ensuring transparency and awareness of the programs and in this respect extensive work was carried out in 2015. 

 

During the meeting the Minister stressed the importance of the initiative of organic agriculture development.

 

The sides also discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation in agriculture, particularly the creation of cooperatives in Armavir and Ararat and the possibility of applying modern irrigation technologies, namely drip systems for the reservoir construction in Vedi.

 

Highly assessing the current state of agricultural cooperation with the European Union, the Minister expressed confidence that the cooperation in the agricultural sector will continue to develop and expand.

 

 

Division of Information and Public Relations of

the RA Ministry of Agriculture

 

 

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