The Dutch government has announced that the Netherlands is to work more intensively with Serbia’s agricultural sector. LEI, part of Wageningen UR, is making a contribution by reviewing the extent to which the Serbian agricultural sector complies with the European Union's requirements. LEI submitted the initial version of the report to Dušan Petrović, Serbia's Minister of Agriculture, last Tuesday.
LEI is carrying out this review at the request of the Netherlands’ Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation and Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture. The definitive results will be published at the end of 2011. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation is of the opinion that Serbia’s rapid harmonisation with the European food standards and compliance the EU veterinary and phytosanitary requirements could also be beneficial to Dutch trade with Serbia.
The agreements on more intensive cooperation with Serbia followed a Serbian delegation’s visit to the Netherlands. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, Serbia possesses great potential in the agricultural sector, with a large area of suitable land and a favourable location close to a number of large European markets.
In October, the European Commission will submit its recommendations on the timing of the negotiations with Serbia on the country's accession to the European Union.