Croatia support Hungary's ideas with relation to the reform of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). State Secretary for Rural Development Zsolt V. Németh met with Croatian Deputy Minister for Rural Development, EU and International Cooperation Luka Čuljak at the informal meeting of the Standing Working Group of European Ministers of Agriculture from South Eastern Europe. Croatia is scheduled to become a member of the European Union on July 1, 2013.

During their meeting, Zsolt V. Németh and Luka Čuljak reviewed actual issues relating to the reform of the CAP. They agreed that support for young farmers, the simplification of the terms and conditions for receiving funding and its expansion to include all farmers under the age of 40 is of special importance. They also agreed that a balance must be found between agricultural and environmental criteria while "greening" the CAP. For instance, the minimum size of land above which three types of crop must be cultivated must be increased (crop diversification), and Natura 2000 areas should be included within ecological target areas.

Luka Čuljak asked Zsolt V. Németh to share Hungarian experiences with regard to rural development with Croatia before its EU accession. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development reported on the funding payment structure, the decision-making mechanism, the institutional system, the experiences gained during the operation of the system and on ideas for future development.

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia and the Standing Working Group of European Ministers of Agriculture from South Eastern Europe (SWG) held the informal meeting of the region's ministers in Biograd na Moru between September 12-14, 2012. The aim of the workgroup is to further the European integration of the Western Balkan states, and the development of cooperation in agriculture and rural development. Hungary has had the status of observer in the organisation since May 2012.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)