MEMORANDUMOF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND WATER MANAGEMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA AND THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND FORESTS OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC("Off. Herald of RS - Treaties", No. 4/2026) |
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests of the Italian Republic, hereinafter referred to as the "Parties"
Intending to enhance the cooperation in agriculture and agribusiness based on equity and mutual benefit,
Bearing in mind their priority objectives and experience,
Have reached the following understanding:
Article 1
The institutional cooperation between the Parties will be realized in the following areas:
1. Exchange of experience in the fields of agriculture, rural development, agrarian payments and fisheries in the process of accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union, aimed at strengthening the institutions and staff capacities of the Serbian side;
2. Exchange of experience in the field of harmonization of the Serbian legislation with EU regulations in the field of agriculture;
3. Exchange of experience in the field of organic production and certification of organic products;
4. Exchange of experience in the field of quality policies and protected designations of origin and geographical indications;
5. Exchange of experience in the field of food safety;
6. Exchange of experience in the fields of viticulture, production, marketing and promotion of wine and viticulture;
7. Exchange of experience in phytosanitary field;
8. Exchange of experience in the field of usage of agricultural mechanization;
9. Promoting food investments in the processing of agricultural and animal products and their marketing;
10. Promotion of infrastructure investments such as storage centers for fresh produce (cold storage) to support peasant and smallholder farmers;
11. Exchange of experience in the field of insurance and financial support instruments in agriculture;
12. Exchange of experience in the forestry policies;
13. Promotion of propagating materials from forest tree species and floriculture;
14. Exchange of experience in the field of hunting management and promotion of sustainable hunting;
15. Exchange of experience in irrigation resource management;
16. Exchange of experience in mutual market management;
17. Exchange of information and experience for the organization of agricultural markets and integrated development of rural areas in mountainous areas;
18. Sharing of experience and information to further simplify and promote mutual trade of agricultural and agri-food products;
19. Exchanges regarding the Italian experience in establishing farmers’ associations in agriculture and livestock production;
20. Promotion of the association in the agricultural sector;
21. Mutual engagement in participation at agricultural and agribusiness fairs;
22. Support of Italian experts through twinning projects.
Article 2
1. Cooperation in the abovementioned areas, will be realized with the aim of exchanging experience and good practices between both administrations, such as:
- Seminars, conferences, professional training activities;
- Joint working groups on selected areas of mutual interest;
- Study visits in both countries for officials, experts, professionals, researches, etc.
2. Both Parties will ensure protection of personal data of employees and experts involved in the initiatives envisaged by this Memorandum of Understanding, they will not transfer such personal data to third parties and, in any case, process them in an incompatible manner with the purposes of the present Memorandum of Understanding unless the other Party gives its prior written consent.
Article 3
The expenses arising from the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be covered by the Parties according to their ordinary budget availability without any additional or unplanned costs for the State budgets of the Republic of Serbia and the Italian Republic. The Parties could also avail themselves of resources provided by the European Union and other international organizations within the framework of their respective cooperation programs.
Article 4
1. The Parties will establish a joint working group in order to define an action plan, monitor its realization and develop the initiatives pursuant to Article 2 of this Memorandum of Understanding. The Parties will notify each other of the members of the working group.
2. The working group, on its first session, will define the plan to implement the arranged areas of cooperation.
3. The ordinary sessions of the working group will be held alternatively in the Republic of Serbia and in the Italian Republic. The sessions could also be organized through VTC.
4. Each Party will bear the costs of its participation to the cooperation activities, unless otherwise defined by the Parties.
Article 5
1. This Memorandum of Understanding does not constitute an international agreement from which rights and obligations under international law may arise. No provision of this Memorandum of Understanding is to be understood and performed as a legal obligation or commitment of the Parties.
2. This Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented in accordance with the Serbian and Italian legislations, as well as applicable international law and, as for the Italian Party, the obligations arising from Italy’s membership of the European Union.
Article 6
The Parties may amend this Memorandum of Understanding in writing by mutual consent.
Article 7
Any differences in the interpretation or implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be amicably settled through direct consultations and negotiations between the Parties.
Article 8
1. This Memorandum of Understanding takes effect on the date of signature. It will remain valid for five (5) years and will be automatically extended for further five (5) years, unless one of the Parties notifies the other of its intention to terminate it six (6) months prior the intended date of expiration.
2. In any case, the termination of this Memorandum of Understanding will not interrupt the execution of ongoing projects and programs.
Signed in on 13th of April in two originals, each in the Serbian, Italian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergences, the text in English will prevail.
For the Ministry of Agriculture, |
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For the Ministry of Agriculture, |