SERBIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRODUCTION, EMPHASIS ON QUALITY, HARMONIZATION WITH EUROPEAN STANDARDS AND DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

The activities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia were focused on talks on European integration in the field of agriculture, support to domestic producers, improvement of food quality standards and development of the Serbian countryside.

Minister Dragan Glamocic met with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Andreas von Beckerat, at the Pavilion of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management to discuss Serbian agriculture, IPARD funds and the harmonization of domestic production with EU standards.
Von Beckerat pointed out that Serbia has great potential in the field of agriculture and food production. He stated that EUR 288 million has been allocated for the IPARD 3 program and stressed that the goal is for the money to reach Serbian farmers as soon as possible, in order to modernize production and reach European standards.
– Agriculture is a sector with enormous potential that can drive economic growth and create new jobs, as well as position Serbia in the production of high-quality food. The European Union is fully committed to supporting Serbia to achieve its full potential," said the EU Ambassador.
Minister Glamocic assessed that Serbia is working intensively on harmonization with European standards, and that it is important to adapt this process to producers, especially small farms in the southern parts of the country.
– We have open communication with the European Union and this year we will pay 31 million euros from the IPARD fund. We are already implementing regulations for milk control throughout Serbia, it is necessary to educate and equip small farms so as not to endanger villages, because they mean the most to our country – said Glamočić.
After the meeting, the Minister, together with the EU Ambassador, visited the Pavilion of the Delegation of the European Union, where modern systems for smart agriculture, including a robotic platform and an agrodrone, were presented. Then, together with the Ambassador of Slovakia, Mihal Pavuk, he tasted traditional brindža dumplings.
Minister Glamočić addressed the attendees at the conference "Agrarian Spring 2026", dedicated to the future of the Serbian countryside and the role of women in the development of agribusiness, organized by the Association of Women Agri-Entrepreneurs of Serbia and the Association of Journalists for Agriculture "Agropress". Speaking about the position of women in rural areas, Glamočić pointed out that women are the key to the development of villages and agriculture.
– A woman is the pillar of the family and the village, without strong women Serbia cannot move forward. This is not only a political issue, but a demographic and economic one," the minister said, announcing a new meeting with women farmers, in order to decide what additional measures are needed for women in the sector.
During the fair, a panel "Conversations that mean – standards and access to markets" was held at the Pavilion of the Delegation of the European Union. The participants were Minister Glamocic, EU Ambassador von Becquerat, as well as Deputy Director General for Agricultural Trade of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture of Germany Olaf Schaffer and Miodrag Bjelica from the Bjelica Winery.
"Serbia is not at the beginning of the European path in agriculture, we are deeply in the process of harmonization and we have already transposed a good part of European standards into our legislation," said Minister Glamocic. – Our goal is not only to formally harmonize with the regulations, but to make these standards an everyday practice in Serbian fields, farms and in the processing industry. I am especially pleased that at the last public calls for farmers we had many more applications than funds, which shows that our people have become familiar with the procedures and we will be able to spend all the intended funds.
Special emphasis was placed on the standardization of food quality, milk control and improvement of food safety, which should enable domestic producers to place themselves on the European market more easily.