Minister Simović meets with agricultural producers on occasion of opening Chapter 11

Podgorica, Montenegro (14 December 2016) -- On the occasion of the negotiations opening between Montenegro and the European Union in Chapter 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organised today a meeting with representatives of the associations of agricultural producers and relevant institutions.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović said that the composition of the present meeting is an indicator of successful cooperation models. „Today we can say all together: we did a lot, we passed along a demanding section, but we are all together aware that there is still a lot we need to do together“, the Minister said.

He said that this representative composition worked diligently and responsibly in the previous period in order to restore optimism and confidence in the agricultural sector, raise competitiveness, adapt the agricultural policy to the common European Agricultural Policy, achieve the demanding standards in food production, create and train new institutions and strengthen the administrative capacities. He added that it was worked together and responsibly on creating and implementing the rural development policy which should bring a new quality of life in the rural areas and which includes the preservation of the traditional values, understanding of the relationships in which the agriculture is not only a business, but a way of life. He noted the activities related to the adoption of new laws, as well as meeting the benchmarks for opening negotiations on Chapter 11. Also, he reminded that the Working group for this negotiation chapter, which numbered 74 members, included the representatives of the academic community, advisory services, NGOs, the Chamber of Commerce and the Employers Federation, as well as state institutions. He thanked for the contribution to the negotiation process of the parliamentary committees for European Integration and Agriculture. The support of the EU representatives, as well as numerous international organisations, such as FAO and World Bank was very significant. „And that's why I want to express today the attitude of respect and appreciation to all institutions and individuals who have contributed to this process, as well as the international partners for the continued and generous support“.

Minister Simović acquainted the attendees with what follows in the negotiation process, stating that there is no time to relax, because a lot of work is to be done by 2020. Further alignment and implementation of the EU Acquis, which covers the section of agriculture and rural development, is essential. He emphasised as a special challenge the strengthening of existing and the establishment of new administrative structures such as Paying Agency, Integrated Administration and Control System, Accounting Data on Farms Network, as well as formation of producers organisations. „The essential challenge for all of us is to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic agricultural production and to ensure that our producers find their place on the demanding EU market, as well as improve the quality of life in rural areas“, the Minister said.

Minister Simović urged all agricultural producers to actively involve with the proposals and suggestions in the development of the Agricultural Budget for 2017.

Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Aivo Orav congratulated Montenegro on the opening of two more chapters, noting that this is a confirmation of the continuation of negotiations between Montenegro and the European Union. Ambassador Orav said that Chapter 11 is very demanding one and that the Montenegrin administration and producers should expect hard work in the coming period in order to be ready before joining the EU to implement the measures of the Common Agricultural Policy and experience the benefits of the accession. The Ambassador suggested the agricultural producers to join together in order to work on the protection of traditional products and to monitor the development and trends of European policy in the field of agriculture.