Ministers of Agriculture and Heads of Delegations from South Eastern Europe (SEE) gathered in Pristina on October 1st, 2025, for the 19th Annual Agricultural Ministers` Meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of Kosovo and the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG RRD).
The Ministers adopted Ministers` Meeting Conclusions to be presented at the upcoming Berlin Process Leaders Summit, reaffirming that agriculture, food systems, rural development, and forestry are strategic to the region’s economic growth, environmental protection and long-term stability.
Participants emphasized the urgent need for concrete actions to build a sustainable, competitive and resilient agriculture sector firmly aligned with the European Union integration process.
Amid global and regional challenges - climate change, food and energy crises, biodiversity loss and market instability, the Ministers confirmed that enhanced regional cooperation, solidarity, and innovation are of a crucial importance.
The following priorities were agreed during the meeting:
- Advance EU and regional integration, with commitment to resolving bilateral and multilateral issues affecting the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital in agriculture and food sectors. Full alignment with EU acquis Chapters 11, 12, and 13 by 2030 remains a shared goal.
- Implement Pillar IV of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, transforming agriculture and food systems toward sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness, while integrating climate adaptation into strategic orientation and related investment and support policies.
- Accelerate green transition, digitalization, and knowledge exchange across the region.
- Promote sustainable forestry and natural resource management, recognizing forests as essential for climate action, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods.
- Foster investments in climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, circular economy solutions and resource-efficient technologies.
- Support fair income and competitiveness of farmers, through modernization and sustainable practices to enhance productivity and resilience in open markets.
- Ensure inclusiveness and transparency with strong stakeholder engagement including ministries, farmers, agribusinesses, and civil society, jointly to shape responsive policies.
- Empower rural communities, especially youth and women, and promote community-led local development through the LEADER approach.
- Strengthen regional and international cooperation, to amplify joint efforts and shared progress.
The Ministers and Heads of Delegations, reaffirmed their collective aspiration for EU integration, committed to translating these priorities into concrete actions for a greener, sustainable and more resilient future of the agriculture sector and rural areas in SEE.
Please find the Conclusions of the Ministers/ Heads of Delegations Responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development here .
Additional information you may find on the SWG website here .