Bulgarian, Turkish  Agriculture Ministers Agree to Enhance Cooperation


Ankara/Sofia, February 26 (BTA) - Agriculture Minister
Dessislava Taneva and her Turkish counterpart Mehmet Eker agreed
to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture
through the creation of a working group, which will start in
mid-March, Taneva's Ministry reported on Thursday. The Bulgarian
Minister is paying a visit to Ankara at the invitation of
Minister Eker.

The meeting was attended by MP Prof. Ivan Stankov and the
Bulgarian Food Safety Agency's Deputy Director, Dr. Damyan
Iliev.

The two ministers discussed the opportunities for renewing the
export of cattle and small ruminant animals from Bulgaria to
Turkey. Taneva stressed the importance of opening the market
once again and removing the obstacles for bilateral trade.
Bulgarian animals are healthy and the sector has very good
opportunities for development given the financial assistance it
is eligible for under the new OP Rural Development, she added.

Minister Eker said that cooperation in the field of agriculture
will have a positive impact on its development in both
countries. The Turkish side brought up the issue of the
difficulties in exporting and the high transit fees for fresh
fruits and vegetables through Bulgaria towards EU countries.