Estonian and Georgian Ministers of Agriculture signed the Memorandum of Cooperation

22.01.2010

Yesterday, Estonian Minister of Agriculture Helir-Valdor Seeder and Georgian Minister of Agriculture Bakur Kvezereli signed the Memorandum of Cooperation, which concentrates on the development assistance provided by Estonia and on bilateral economic and trade relations in the field of agriculture and food production.

By Minister Kvezereli’s words, Georgia is interested in cooperation with different international organisations and expects the contribution of Estonian experts. At the same time, Georgia is open for the investments of Estonian companies, for which several advantages are offered, incl. the sale of agricultural land under favourable conditions.

Regarding the exchange of goods, Georgia primarily offers to Estonia its wines, expecting dairy and fishery products in return. Today, fishery products make up the majority of Estonian food export to Georgia. As for trade in dairy products, direct contacts between companies should follow and Georgian Minister promised his support for the establishment of relations.

Minister Helir-Valdor Seeder said that cooperation between the two Ministries has been rather active and the Memorandum of Cooperation signed yesterday promotes its continuation. „For instance, at the end of last year, Georgian representatives participated in the Tallinn international seminar on development assistance provided in the field of agriculture and food.“ told Seeder. „Considering the similar history of our countries, we shall be able to support Georgia in several domains.“

Additional information:
Peeter Seestrand
Deputy Secretary General for Foreign Affairs and Development
phone: + 372 6256 105
e-mail: peeter dot seestrand at agri dot ee

Hindrek Riikoja
Deputy Head of Public Relations Department
phone: +372 6256 255, +372 53 030 865
e-mail: hindrek dot riikoja at agri dot ee