Minister Ivanović meets with EU officials in Brussels: Montenegro makes progress in agriculture area

Brussels, Montenegro (8 April 2014) – Montenegro has progressed in meeting benchmarks for the opening of the negotiating chapters 11, 12 and 13 relate to agriculture and rural development, food safety, and fisheries, representatives of the European Commission underlined at the meeting with Montenegro’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Petar Ivanović in Brussels on Monday.

Minister Ivanović met with Alexandra Cas Granje, Director in the European Commission’s DG Enlargement and with Head of Units for Montenegro and Iceland Dirk Lange.

Montenegro is on the right track when it comes to agriculture, fisheries and food safety, Ms Cas Granje stated. She pointed out the upcoming challenges and hard work to be done in taking the EU acquis related to food safety, defining customs terminals for products of plant and animal origin, and for live stock (BIP), as well as addressing the issues of animal waste.

Minister Ivanović informed the European Commission’s official about the concrete results achieved in the field of agriculture in the period September 2013 - March 2014, and the efforts made towards fulfilling the criteria for opening negotiations in the three chapters. The meeting placed particular emphasis on the draft agriculture development strategy, which was presented yesterday in Brussels.

Montenegro’s Agriculture Minister thanked the EU for the support the Ministry receives, particularly referring to expert assistance, which is crucial for strengthening institutions and financial assistance for the IRARD project, as a continuation of the MIDAS programme. He pointed out that the construction of the first customs terminal for products of plant and animal origin, and livestock (BIP) in the municipality of Bar is progressing according to the plan, reiterating the Montenegro's willingness to continue building capacities in the sector of argriculture.