ENPARD Conference on Strategic Modernisation of Agriculture in EU Neighbourhood countries (31/05-01/06/2012, Brussels)
Senior agriculture officials from European Neighbourhood countries meet on 31 May and 1 June in Brussels to discuss the strategic modernisation of the agricultural sector in their countries at a Conference on the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD).
ENPARD is a new policy initiative, part of the EU's commitment to inclusive growth and stability in its Neighbourhood, which recognises the potential importance of agriculture in terms of food security, sustainable production and rural employment.
As the key ENPARD event in the year 2012, the conference will be opened jointly by Commissioner Dacian Cioloş (Agriculture and Rural Development) and Commissioner Štefan Füle (Enlargement and European neighbourhood Policy).
>> Read Commissioner Cioloş' opening speech
The objective of the conference is to present the Programme's vision and approach to high level officials in charge of agriculture, rural development and international cooperation from all European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries South and East of Europe.
It will also provide the opportunity for participants to have in-depth discussions on how the Programme can best respond to the difficulties of agriculture and rural areas in their countries. Participants will hear from the experiences in the EU-12 in modernizing agriculture and rural areas, through the presentation of lessons learnt under SAPARD and IPARD programmes, which yielded significant results during the pre-accession phase.
Commissioner Dacian Cioloş stated: "With this conference, the European Commission sends a very clear signal of our willingness to put agriculture at the heart of our relationship with our neighbours and friends south and east. Concretely, we are ready to share our experience, our know-how, in the framework of a solid partnership for rural development and for the sustainable valorisation of these regions’ agricultural potential. That is the meaning of ENPARD programmes. It is not merely about funding, but also about working methods, which have been shown to be effective, in particular during the accession of the new EU Member States"
Commissioner Štefan Füle added: "ENPARD will not only contribute to more employment but it will also help to improve the quality of life of people in rural areas. Moreover support to agriculture and rural development is also a key element of the EU's commitment to inclusive growth in the Neighbourhood.''
Background
ENPARD was established by two joint Communications of the European Commission and the European External Action service of March and May 2011.
The EU offers a dialogue on ENPARD to all partner countries, and is prepared to assist in implementing ENPARD policies and related reforms for all those committed to make agriculture/rural development a focal sector in their cooperation with the EU. This will include assistance in preparing long-term agricultural and rural development strategies with all the relevant stakeholders, and in building necessary institutional capacities at national and local levels. ENPARD will draw on the EU experience in reforming agriculture and rural areas in pre-accession countries and will take into account the diversity of experiences and efforts in partner countries. ENPARD also adopts a strategic and holistic approach with a strong focus on civil society and sector stakeholders participation.
The national sector strategy, defining the challenges and objectives of sectors is the basis of a policy dialogue between the EU and its partners. For ENPARD the dialogue should result in joint multi-annual work programmes, prepared by partner countries and agreed with the EU, in which countries define their aims for agriculture and rural development policies. Such dialogue will also facilitate regional exchanges and help identify pilot actions where relevant.
Vasile Bumacov, the Moldovan Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry will also address the audience, presenting the view of a neighbouring country on how to tailor ENPARD to national challenges and needs. Participants are also expected from: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Tunisia and Ukraine as well as representatives from FAO.
In the 2014-2020 programming period, partner countries are required to indicate 3 sectors for cooperation with the EU. The conference is thus an opportunity for partner countries to consider making agriculture and rural development one of those 3 priorities.
>> More info on the conference
>> More info on the European Neighbourhood Policy
>> Communications establishing the ENPARD programme:
>> Communication "A new response to a changing Neighbourhood"
Contact information | n/a |
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News type | Inbrief |
File link |
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/events/enpard-workshop-2012_en.htm |
Source of information | http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/ |
Subject(s) | AGRICULTURE , METHTODOLOGY - STATISTICS - DECISION AID , POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT |
Relation | http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/12/405&format=HTML&aged=0&language=FR&guiLanguage=en |
Geographical coverage | Belgium, |
News date | 18/06/2012 |
Working language(s) | ENGLISH , FRENCH |