The 19th Annual Working Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture from South Eastern Europe (SEE) took place on October 1st, 2025, in Pristina, Kosovo*
The event was hosted under the joint auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of Kosovo* and the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) in South Eastern Europe.
The meeting brought together Ministers and Heads of Delegations from across the SEE region to engage in high-level discussions on the future of agriculture and rural development. Participants also conduct a comprehensive review of both ongoing and future regional cooperation efforts in this sector.
This year’s agenda focuses on progress toward developments in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD) in the context of EU integration, as well as an overview of regional cooperation in the agro-food sector within the SWG framework. In addition, the conclusions of the Agricultural Policy Forum “Ohrid Agenda 2025” for South East Europe were presented and discussed.
Official addresses is delivered by Ministers and Heads of Delegations from South East Europe and the European Union, alongside representatives from international organizations. The event also offered an opportunity for bilateral meetings between Ministers and Heads of Delegations.
The following priorities were agreed during the meeting:
- Advance EU and regional integration, with commitment to resolving bilateral and multilateral issues affecting the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital in agriculture and food sectors. Full alignment with EU acquis Chapters 11, 12, and 13 by 2030 remains a shared goal.
- Implement Pillar IV of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, transforming agriculture and food systems toward sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness, while integrating climate adaptation into strategic orientation and related investment and support policies.
- Accelerate green transition, digitalization, and knowledge exchange across the region.
- Promote sustainable forestry and natural resource management, recognizing forests as essential for climate action, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods.
- Foster investments in climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, circular economy solutions and resource-efficient technologies.
- Support fair income and competitiveness of farmers, through modernization and sustainable practices to enhance productivity and resilience in open markets.
- Ensure inclusiveness and transparency with strong stakeholder engagement including ministries, farmers, agribusinesses, and civil society, jointly to shape responsive policies.
- Empower rural communities, especially youth and women, and promote community-led local development through the LEADER approach.
- Strengthen regional and international cooperation, to amplify joint efforts and shared progress.
The Ministers and Heads of Delegations, reaffirmed their collective aspiration for EU integration, committed to translating these priorities into concrete actions for a greener, sustainable and more resilient future of the agriculture sector and rural areas in SEE.
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*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
