Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla welcomed his counterpart from Kosovo, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development Armend Muja, to Tirana as part of a two-day official visit, during which two cooperation agreements were signed between the respective ministries.
The agreements aim to strengthen cooperation between Albania and Kosovo in the agriculture and rural development sector, focusing on two main areas: the development of agricultural advisory services, technology transfer and the promotion of innovation, as well as the marketing, promotion and facilitation of trade in agri-food products.
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At the joint press conference, Minister Salla stressed that the signing of the agreements represents further proof of the excellent relations between the two countries and their shared will to turn cooperation into concrete results for farmers and citizens.
“These agreements follow the meeting held in April in Pristina and represent an important step in turning the commitments made by both sides into reality. The agreements materialize our cooperation in two strategic directions: the development of agricultural advisory services, technology transfer and the promotion of innovation in agriculture, as well as the drafting of a joint approach to the marketing, promotion and facilitation of trade in agri-food products,” Salla said.
The minister underlined that agriculture remains a sector of strategic importance for both countries, with a direct impact on economic development, the well-being of rural communities, job creation and guaranteeing food security.
According to him, the agreement on the marketing and promotion of agri-food products aims to increase the competitiveness of Albanian and Kosovar products, strengthen their presence in regional and international markets, coordinate promotional activities and participation in fairs, as well as encourage cooperation between economic operators in both countries.
Meanwhile, the agreement on advisory services, technology transfer and innovation aims to modernize the agricultural sector by strengthening professional capacities, exchanging knowledge and best practices, improving and digitizing services for farmers, as well as supporting them with technology and innovative solutions.
“These cooperation instruments create a sustainable basis for institutional coordination and joint development, while also opening up new opportunities for participation in European Union programs, projects and funds, as well as those of other international development partners,” Minister Salla emphasized.
In conclusion, he expressed confidence that the signed agreements will bring concrete and long-term results for the agri-food sector in Albania and Kosovo, serving as a strong foundation for even closer cooperation in the future.
For his part, Kosovo’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Armend Muja, stressed that Albania and Kosovo are working to improve trade procedures and reduce the obstacles affecting the movement of agricultural goods between the two countries.
“We are reviewing the administrative barriers that hinder the free movement of goods. Our goal is to digitize the inspection process and remove all obstacles affecting the circulation of products between the two countries,” Muja said.
