Slovakia Deepens Cooperation with France in Agriculture

Bratislava, November 25 (TASR) - Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) received on Monday Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Slovakia Nicolas Suran to discuss deepening cooperation in the field of education and international agreements on trade in agricultural commodities, ministry's spokeswoman Veronika Danicova told TASR on Monday. "France is an important agricultural partner for us. I believe that the deepening of mutual cooperation in education as well as international agreements related to trade in agricultural commodities, can bring positive results for both sides," said Takac. According to the minister, the priority of both countries is to protect the domestic market and quality agricultural production, especially with regard to the import of agricultural commodities and the situation after Ukraine's possible accession to the EU. Takac stressed that Slovakia is one of the three EU countries where a ban on imports of agricultural commodities from Ukraine is in place and added that the same strict rules must apply to Ukrainian farmers, primary producers and food processors on the European market as apply to EU countries. "Food safety and food quality is of paramount importance for Slovakia. It will be a common challenge for all member states to find a consensus that will protect domestic farmers and promote their competitiveness," said Takac. am/mcs