“Ukraine pays special attention to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, particularly in the aspect of deepening trade and economic relations. Currently, the bilateral relations between Ukraine and Germany in the agricultural sector are held in the framework of the Ukrainian-German Agrarian Committee, the most recent (13^th) meeting of which was held in Kyiv on September 14^th, 2015”, Oleksii Pavlenko, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, stated during a meeting with Christian Schmidt, the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture of Germany, held in the framework of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin.

The Minister noted that the main aspects of the bilateral cooperation covered seed production, bioenergy, and veterinary issues.

According to Oleksii Pavlenko, for 11 months of 2015, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $473,9 million, including the export of Ukraine in the amount of $169,4 million. The major exported items included cereals – $62,4 million, natural honey – $24.2 million, meat and meat products – $15.9 million.

The share of import amounted to $304,5 million. The major import items included – other food products ($62,5 million), tobacco and tobacco products ($28.7 million), meat ($20.6 million).

The Minister also noted the importance of the project “German-Ukrainian Agro-Political Dialogue” in Ukraine, extended for another 3 years term (2016 – 2019).

“The cooperation in the framework of the project is of particular interest for the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, given the German experience in reforming the agriculture of the Eastern Germany,” the Minister noted.

The project supports Ukraine in the development of sustainable agriculture, efficient processing industry and increased international competitiveness in accordance with the principles of the market and regulatory policies. In addition, the project for the transfer of knowledge on the German experience, particularly that of the Eastern Germany, and other international and European experience in developing the framework of agrarian and political conditions, and in the organization of the relevant agrarian political institutions.

“With the aim of developing a balanced policy in the sphere of agro-industrial complex Ukraine needs an open dialogue and close cooperation with Germany in such important areas as the introduction of innovative technologies in agricultural production, ensuring the European standards of quality and safety of food products, assistance in the development of the strategy of reforming the system of professional education and training, promotion of the development of professional associations in the sphere of agriculture, and the bioenergy,” Minister Pavlenko added.