Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupcho Nikolovski signed Thursday a Memorandum of Cooperation in Rome with his Italian counterpart, Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies Stefano Patuanelli, MIA informs.

The memorandum is aimed at boosting cooperation between the countries regarding rural development, organic agriculture, wine growing and wine production, phytosanitary measures, insurance and financial support in agriculture, management of irrigation resources as well as protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications.

“After signing the memorandum, the two ministries will form joint working groups to draft action plans for the implementation and development of these areas of cooperation,” the press release says.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, the memorandum also continues the cooperation started in July 2021 between the Italian carabinieri and the forest police of North Macedonia.

At their working meeting, Patuanelli and Nikolovski expressed concern about rising production costs amid the global crisis. Concluding that finding alternative markets and providing assistance to agriculture was crucial at the moment, Nikolovski spoke about North Macedonia’s state support of local agricultural production.

The two ministers also expressed satisfaction with the current trade exchange between the countries and considered new opportunities for enhancing cooperation.

Nikolovski shared his expectations that agricultural trade would increase further, which he said would benefit farmers in both countries.