On December 16 the fifth meeting of the Ukrainian-French Working Group on Agriculture. The issues raised concerned the prospects and primary areas for the Ukrainian-French cooperation in the agrarian sphere.

The Ukrainian side was headed by the First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, State Service for Food Safety and Consumers Protection, Ukrvinporm Corporation as well as Ukroilprom and representatives of scientific circles.

The head of the French delegation was the Director General of the Directorate General for Economic and Environmental Performance of the Enterprises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of France Valérie Metrich-Hecquet.

Taras Vysotskyi emphasized that despite a long pause related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukrainian side is ready to intensify cooperation in the field of agriculture.

The grape and wine industries are one of the key spheres of cooperation for both countries. The parties noted the positive dynamics in the development of bilateral cooperation on the regional level which made possible by the organization of trainings and thematic exhibitions. The French side continues to support Ukraine in its efforts for protection of geographical indications.

Besides, the Ukrainian side has informed the French colleagues on the land relations reform process and presented a plan for implementation of the Irrigation Strategy for the Period till 2030. From its part the French side presented its national system for land resources management.

The current state of cooperation in areas of mutual interest was also discussed at the meeting, including cooperation in the field of animal husbandry, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, as well as rural development.

Following the meeting, the Parties signed a Joint Statement.