MINISTER SAROVIC MET WITH MINISTERS MILOVANOVIC AND LIJANOVIC

July 16^th, 2012 – Today Minister Sarovic held a meeting in his office with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Srpska, Mr. Miroslav Milovanovic, and the Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Federation of BiH, Mr. Jerko Ivankovic-Lijanovic

The ministers discussed several important issues in the field of agriculture and rural development, and, among other things, the establishment of IPARD operating structures in BiH, as well as issues on the completion of the project for the establishment and development of an agricultural information system and land parcel identification system.

Open, harmonized questions on the establishment of IPARD operating structures were discussed at the meeting, particularly the establishment of a management structure and paying agency. In addition, one of the subjects was the drafting and adoption of legislation, primarily the Law on Wine and the so called "Hygiene package".

The Ministers expressed their readiness to undertake joint efforts to achieve the conditions for the export of products of plant and animal origin to EU countries, the establishment of credible measures to protect domestic production, as well as readiness for joint coordination in finding solutions to these issues.

Recent advocates by some of the possibility that Croatia might remain in the CEFTA zone even after its accession to the European Union for another two years were deemed unrealistic by the three ministers.