ArmInfo. Armenia's Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan met with Bousouet Mathieu, Head of Unit of Neighbourhood East department of Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of European Commission. "As a priority sector of the country's economy the field of agriculture in Armenia continues to demonstrate dynamic growth during last several years, also due to the projects implemented jointly with EU and international organizations", Sergo Karapetyan stated during the meeting.
As the press-service of the ministry reports, in this context Karapetyan mentioned the importance of implementation of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) aimed at establishment and development of agricultural cooperatives. "We can already speak about the achievements in the implementation of this program and we hope for its continuation", the Minister noted.
The sides also discussed the process of implementation of this program. As Karapetyan informed a law "On Agricultural Cooperatives" was approved in Armenia in 2015, a department for support to agricultural cooperatives was established in the ministry and around 50 training programs on this topic were held in all the regions of the country. "This year around 45 cooperatives will be established with EU's support according to new legislation", the Minister stated.
During the meeting the Minister mentioned the importance of implementation of the imitative on development of organic agriculture. The sides discussed prospects of further cooperation in the field of agriculture.