European Union Ambassador to Tunisia, Marcus Cornaro stressed the need to join efforts to revise the current olive oil trade system by developing a new governance framework for the exchange of agricultural products in the near future.
During his meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Fisheries on Friday, Cornaro underlined the EU’s willingness to continue working with Tunisia to support and develop the agricultural sector, according to a statement from the ministry.
For his part, Minister Abdelmonem Belati reiterated Tunisia’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and economic diplomacy with its partners and friends, particularly the European Union, in support of the agricultural sector.
This would mainly involve promoting trade and increasing exports of agricultural products to the European Union, including vegetables and cereals, as well as increasing the annual allocation for olive oil exports this year.
The aim is to ensure the sustainability of the system and the resilience of farmers, especially smallholders, to the effects of drought.
The meeting focused on the current situation of the agricultural sector in Tunisia and the challenges of this period amid climate change and water scarcity and their impact on food and water security and the national economy as a whole.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse