“There is a great potential for strengthening cooperation with Moldova in the field of trade with agricultural products. We face common problems and we will continue to best cooperate so that we can solve them together” , stated the Minister of Agriculture and Food Kiril Vatev at meeting with Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea.
Minister Vatev commented that the exchange of agricultural goods between the two countries in 2023 amounts to 89.7 million USD. e., but there is a possibility with the deepening of relations in the fields of agriculture, food, food control, animal selection and education, this volume to grow significantly.
For his part, Minister Vladimir Bolea informed about the actions of the Moldovan government to improve infrastructure, keep the young population in rural areas and promote small family farms. He also announced that in order to increase the production of milk and meat in the country as a sustainable economic model, the small cattle breeding should be stimulated more, suggesting that this should be done in cooperation with the Bulgarian agricultural universities.
Minister Vatev commented that Bulgaria has a very well-developed agricultural science and highly qualified scientists and specialists in the field of animal husbandry, plant breeding, vegetable production and viticulture. “At the same time, we strive to improve the business environment to stimulate small and medium-sized farms, as well as sensitive sectors such as fruit and vegetable production, meat and milk”, he added.
The two ministers united around the opinion that it is important to work towards increasing the competitiveness of agricultural holdings, developing rural areas and strengthening the connection between agricultural science and practice. They also agreed to prepare and sign a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in Agriculture between Bulgaria and Moldova.
Anatol Cebuc - the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Moldova to the Republic of Bulgaria, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food - Deyan Stratev, Eng. Georgi Yordanov - the Executive Director of the Executive Agency for Selection and Reproduction in Animal Husbandry, the Executive Director of the National Service for Advice in Agriculture - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mladen Mladenov, as well as experts from the agrarian ministries of Bulgaria and Moldova attended the meeting.