TIRANA, February 13/ATA/ Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla is on a visit to Greece, which is considered important for strengthening ties and increasing cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture.
This visit aims to boost trade and deepen agricultural cooperation, a vital sector for both our economies, said the minister in an interview with the Greek Newspaper Ta Nea.
The visit comes at a time when Albanian agriculture is aiming to be more deeply incorporated into the European common market.
In this context, Minister Salla emphasized that Albania is committed to improve its agricultural policies and adapt to the rules and norms of the European Union.
In Athens, Salla met with several key figures in Greek politics and business.
He held an important meeting with his Greek counterpart, the Minister of Rural Development and Food Konstantinos Tsiaras. They talked on opportunities for increasing agricultural exchanges between the two countries.
Later on, Salla held talks at the Parliament with Chair of the Standing Committee on Production and Trade, Ms Fotini Arampatzi.
The agenda of Salla’s visit also carries meetings at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Haris Theoharis, responsible for Economic Diplomacy and Openness issues and will later visit the Athens Chamber of Commerce of Professionals for a meeting, among others, with the president of the institution Yannis Hatzitheodosiou.
He also held meetings with representatives of the Albanian community in Greece and visited several Albanian businesses operating in this country.
Minister Salla outlined three main objectives of this visit: First, strengthening bilateral trade exchanges; second, promoting institutional cooperation for harmonization with EU policies; and third, the involvement of Greek expertise in implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy, which has been a great success in Greece.
Salla considered this experience as an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with Greece’s confirmed practices, which can also be applied in Albania.
In his interview with Ta Nea, Salla also highlighted the significance of close cooperation between the two countries in context of climate change.
He underlined that sharing experiences and developing common solutions can play an important role in water management, sustainable agriculture and protecting farmers’ incomes.
“Climate change is becoming increasingly visible, and Greece and Albania, due to their geographical proximity and similar climatic conditions, can develop common strategies to combat these challenges,” Salla said.
Another important issue discussed during the visit was the support that Albania is seeking from Greece to complete negotiations with the European Union regarding agricultural policy.
“Albanian-Greek relations should continue to develop in a positive spirit, based on our common strategic interests, our close cooperation within the NATO and our European perspective”, emphasized the minister.
Salla also expressed his belief that the European Union will drive the sustainability of Albanian agriculture. And to accelerate this process, vigorous support from Greece is necessary. /j.p/p.s./
