Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Atanas Dobrev met with the Secretary of State for Forests, Hunting and Timber Industry at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro, Milosav Angelic. The two discussed opportunities for cooperation in the field of agriculture and forestry, expressing a common desire to unlock the potential for better neighbourly relations in this area. The Parties signed a joint Declaration of Intent for the Development of Relations between the two Ministries of Agriculture - Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry of the Republic of Bulgaria and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro and for promoting common business relations in agriculture and forestry.
A special emphasis in the signed declaration is the expressed readiness for cooperation between the agencies and institutions of the two countries responsible for the research, education, training and development of the forestry sector. In this regard, the parties agreed on more active official and expert contacts, including the participation of the enterprises managing the state forests in both countries.
It was also agreed to conduct and promote joint scientific and practical studies on the adaptability of the specific tree species in both countries to the current climate change.
The Bulgarian side expressed its willingness and need to provide methodological assistance to the Montenegrin side in the harmonization of its legislation in the forest sector in the period of its preparation for its accession to the European Union.