Agriculture ministry signs cooperation memorandum with Romanian Federation of Local Action Groups

Chisinau, January 31 / MOLDPRES /- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Federation of Local Action Groups (FNGAL) from Romania on implementation of rural development activities by implementing the LEADER approach in Moldova.

Under the document, the parties agreed to plan and implement joint actions in order to prepare the LAGs of Moldova and Romania for the implementation of cooperation projects. The institutions will also develop a vision for the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy and Neighborhood Policy programs.

"I am just happy to be in touch with our bilateral relations. We want this stage to signify the deepening of cooperation between institutions and to advance through joint efforts in the realization of rural development projects, which will ensure the capitalization of the existing potential. We rely on continuous dialogue between the parties and on a sustainable partnership in order to develop rural communities ", Minister of Agriculture Viorel Gherciu said.

FNGAL head Alexandru Potor said that the organization he leads will provide all the support for rural development in the Republic of Moldova and Romania. "We are confident that the partnership initiated will generate new opportunities for LAGs, so that they can strengthen and expand their activities focused on rural development, as well as benefit from funding from development partners," he said.

The LEADER approach has been implemented in the Republic of Moldova since 2016 with the support of development partners (European Union, Poland, USA, Switzerland, UK, Romania, Estonia, Czech Republic, etc.). In the Republic of Moldova there are over 30 LAGs, involving about 400 administrative-territorial units (over 35% of rural areas) and about 1,200 institutions, local organizations, including local public administration. LAGs are at various stages of development - some LAGs are in the process of being set up, others have already implemented local development projects.

Photo: MAIA