site.btaDeputy Agriculture Minister: Western Balkan Countries Remain Key Strategic Partners for Bulgaria

Addressing the 16th Annual Working Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture from South East Europe in Budva, Montenegro, Bulgarian Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Georgi Sabev said that the Western Balkan countries remain key strategic partners for Bulgaria and "we should do everything possible to take advantage of this partnership".  He added, as quoted by his Ministry on Wednesday, that the forum is a good opportunity to discuss a series of topics in the field of agriculture and to combine efforts for joint work. 

In Sabev's words, the green transition offers significant opportunities for the Western Balkans, including closer integration in the European Value Chains and access to significant EU resources. The significance of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans corresponds fully to the EU's leading efforts to fight climate change, protect the environment, and unlock the potential of the green, low-carbon and circular economy in the region. 

Sabev also said that to use the opportunities for strengthening the cooperation between the participating countries' state institutions, "we need to strengthen the dialogue and broaden the contacts between business representatives". Bulgaria is ready to share its experience gained in the pre-accession period and to support the efforts of the countries in the region, he added.

During his visit to Montenegro, the Deputy Agriculture Minister talked with his counterpart of the Republic of North Macedonia about the opportunities for joint protection of food products with traditional specific characters for the two countries.