Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili met with the EU mission representatives. The European Commission's Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development, Head of the Neighborhood and Enlargement Issues, Susana Marazuela Azpiroz  headed the delegation.
The Participants discussed agricultural and rural development programs financed by the EU in Georgia, including Wine Sector Reform, supported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) within the frame of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development in Georgia ‘’ENPARD’’.
 Levan Davitashvili highlighted rural and agricultural development strategy and underlined the importance of the EU to remain a trustworthy and reliable partner to Georgia. 
Under the frame of the restructured Ministry, rural and agricultural development continues to be a priority direction in the country-noted the Minister and thanked the EU delegation for their active support and cooperation with Georgian side.
 At the meeting, the sides discussed EU technical assistance programs implemented by FAO to enhance capacities of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. At the meeting, the sides were focused on issues regarding reorganization and restructuring of the wine management as well. Susana Marazuela Aspirozi gave a positive evaluation of the work implemented by the Ministry and expressed willingness to continue active cooperation with Georgian side in the agricultural field. It should be noted, that within the visit, the representatives of the European Commission visited local development groups in the regions and got acquainted with the projects implemented by them. The delegation members of the European Union visited National Wine Agency and got acquainted with its activities as well.
 The meeting was attended by  the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili, First Deputy Minister Nodar Kereselidze, Head of the Coordination of the European Union Delegation, Vincent Ray and FAO-ENPARD Coordination Officer, Javier Sans Alvarez.
It is noteworthy, that since 2013, the European Union financial support for rural and agricultural development projects amounted to 179.5 million euros. The European Union supports agriculture and rural development through ENPARD program in Georgia. The first phase of the program aimed to promote agricultural development, while the second and third phase aimed at creating economic development opportunities for people living in rural areas.