President Rosen Plevneliev discussed with Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, at 2 Dondukov street today the ways to neutralize the negative effects on Bulgarian agriculture caused by the embargo imposed by the Russian Federation on the import of agricultural production from the EU. The Head of State assured that Bulgaria will continue to be a worthy partner of the European Commission and an active participant in formulating common EU policies.

“Under conditions of a couple of crises taking place in regions next to Southeast Europe, it is very important for the Bulgarian citizens and agricultural producers to see that the European institutions are efficient and to feel European solidarity,” President Rosen Plevneliev said at the meeting.

EU Commissioner Hogan reiterated that the European Commission is discussing implementing more measures for helping the affected countries and protecting the agricultural producers. The launch of the new program for the development of the rural regions creates opportunities for supporting the producers, which will encourage the export of agricultural production for third markets, Commissioner Hogan assured.

The two were unanimous that the Southeast European countries should fully seize the opportunities afforded by the Junker plan for an integrated regional approach to funding and implementing common projects in the water and energy sectors, which are of key importance for the development of agriculture.