Serbia and the European Union are working together to strengthen agriculture, with a focus on sustainable development, green transition, and improving life in rural areas.
To that end, on October 16, the EU Ambassador to Serbia, Andreas von Bekerath, visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management and met with Minister Dragan Glamočić. They discussed the current cooperation and priorities for the future, noting that there is great potential for further strengthening agricultural policy and aligning with European standards.
“Agriculture is one of the most important sectors, both in Serbia and in the EU. Our close cooperation reflects our shared commitment to supporting Serbian farmers and rural development. Through the EU-funded IPARD program and other initiatives, we are working together to strengthen Serbia’s agricultural sector, increase competitiveness, and improve food safety standards,” said Bekerath.
EU Ambassador to Serbia, Andreas von Bekerath and Minister Dragan Glamočić /Photo: Tanjug
He noted that although challenges remain in fully utilizing the available support, Serbia is expected to intensify efforts to make use of EU funding opportunities for the benefit of its agricultural community and to continue aligning with the EU’s legal framework.
Minister Glamočić expressed gratitude for the support the European Union provides to Serbia in the process of European integration, emphasizing that the Ministry’s strategic goal is the full implementation of European policies in agriculture, food safety, and the veterinary and phytosanitary fields.
“Serbian agriculture is moving toward modernization. Support from the European Union has enabled our farmers and processors to improve their production and become more competitive. That’s why we will continue working to ensure that all available funds from European sources reach as many farmers as possible,” said Minister Glamočić.
Special attention during the talks was given to the implementation of the IPARD III program, which represents a strong support instrument for domestic agricultural producers and processors. The Minister presented the results achieved so far and highlighted the exceptionally high interest in all public calls. He also noted that the new cycle of the program introduces numerous simplified procedures aimed at faster and more efficient application processing.
The IPARD (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural Development) program is a strong support mechanism for agricultural producers and processors, enabling them to improve production, modernize facilities, and increase competitiveness.
