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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Twinning project “Improving the Serbian Wine Sector” begins

Belgrade, 14 February 2007

State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Danilo Golubovic said today that his Ministry and the Council for Agriculture and Economic Development of the government of the autonomous region of Spain La Rioja, with the support of the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR), will work jointly to develop the potential of the Serbian wine sector and harmonise it with EU standards.

Golubovic told a press conference at which the twinning project was presented that the four basic aims of this project are developing the vineyard registry in accordance with EU standards, harmonising legal regulations regarding this sector with European legislation, work on inspection and quality control and establishment of a network of enological laboratories so that products which do not fulfill standards are not allowed to enter the market.

According to Golubovic, it is necessary to develop competition, sanction irregularities in production, trade and labelling of wine, support intensive help in wine production from domestic ingredients and provide education to producers and consumers.

Head of the European Commission Delegation to Serbia Josep Lloveras said that the aim of the project is to help vineyard owners and winemakers to turn the Serbian tradition of wine production into a successful and profitable sector, and added that the project will lead to wine exports from Serbia to the EU.

He explained that wine producers in Serbia should meet all the challenges which are met by European winemakers, such as increased competition and change of taste among consumers, which leads to a fall in prices.

Head of the project and Commander of the Unit of the Registry of Vineyard in the government of La Rioja Jose Javier Ocon Berango said that Serbia has good conditions for wine making and experienced experts of La Rioja, which participates in the overall production and export of wine in Spain with 80%, can contribute to the development of the Serbian wine sector.