Takac Hosts V4+4 Meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Bratislava

Bratislava, 5 October (TASR) - Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) on Monday welcomed his counterparts to a ministerial meeting of the Visegrad Group countries (V4: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) held in Bratislava in an extended format with Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia (V4+4), TASR learnt from the ministry on the same day. At the meeting held under Slovakia's V4 presidency, Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests Francesco Lollobrigida is also present as a special guest. The V4+4 and Italy ministerial meeting will continue on Tuesday (6 October) with a joint working session of the ministers, including the signing of joint declarations followed by a press conference. The aim of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for an open and informal exchange of views among countries facing many common challenges in agriculture and food industry. Slovakia wants to use its presidency primarily to seek common positions and practical solutions that will benefit farmers and food producers. "I am very pleased that we've managed to meet in such a strong format. My invitation was accepted not only by colleagues from the V4 countries, but also by my counterparts from Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia, as well as by Italian Minister Francesco Lollobrigida as a special guest. This is an opportunity for us to speak openly about what unites our countries, where our interests align, and where we can promote a stronger voice of European agriculture," said Takac. jrg