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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Cooperation in agriculture between Serbia, France discussed

Paris/Belgrade, 5 December 2007

Serbian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Slobodan Milosavljevic talked today in Paris with Director of the OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate Stefan Tangermann about new forms of cooperation between Serbia and this international organisation.

Stefan Tangermann and Slobodan Milosavljevic

Author: Fonet

Milosavljevic addressed the press following the meeting and said that the aim of the meeting was to activate Serbia in this Directorate after the official request sent last month and stressed that Serbia’s strategic aim is to shortly become an observer in the Directorate, that is, in its committees.

He recalled that Serbia is already a member of one committee in this organisation and said he agreed with Tangermann that Serbia should join two more committees – for fruit and vegetables and for forests and intermediate products in forestry

Milosavljevic said they agreed to start an initiative for an OECD workshop in Belgrade in the first half of 2009 to deal with trade and cooperation in agriculture and food industries in the southeast European free trade zone.

The Minister also met today with French Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Michel Barnier who offered political support to Serbia on its EU accession road and said he wishes that France and Serbia continue their cooperation regardless of the outcome of the Kosovo status resolution process.

Milosavljevic said that Barnier gave political support to Serbia’s EU integrations since that is the only road for Serbia and the entire Balkan and added that this support is important because in the second half of 2008 Serbia expects considerable advances in EU integrations as France will then take over the EU’s rotating presidency.

According to him, the meeting also looked at cooperation in agriculture, particularly the fulfilment of standards and harmonisation of Serbian regulations with those of the EU, cooperation in sanitary control, veterinary science and other agriculture-related segments.

Milosavljevic also proposed that French companies take part in the second round of privatisation in Serbia in the sector of agriculture food industry, particularly in the milk processing industry because next year 60% of the Serbian milk industry will be sold.

He recalled that Serbia’s trade exchange with France is increasing and added that Serbia recorded a considerably greater export of food products to France than last year.

Milosavljevic and Barnier also discussed the project of the Serbian village in the 21st century whose aim is to modernise the village and build infrastructure and institutions. The Minister invited Barnier to visit Serbia next year.