The Hungarian presidency’s slogan is that a strong Europe needs a strong agriculture capable of providing for the whole continent and preserving its export markets while producing high quality, healthy products – said Sándor Fazekas, Minister of Rural Development at the Paris International Agriculture Show, an exhibition of food and agriculture products.

The EU presidency is a great opportunity for us to display our country’s natural resources and potentials in concordance with the central goals of a united Europe, which are equally important to us. Hungary plays an important role in European agriculture, and French-Hungarian relations are significant enough to enable us to be here to present and promote Hungarian products and to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries.

Mr. Fazekas added, “During the past nine months Hungarian agrarian diplomacy has aimed for greater activity and efficiency than previously.” As an example, he mentioned the extension of the Hungarian moratorium on foreign land purchase as well as the concepts of the Hungarian presidency regarding agriculture.

Visitors at the Hungarian stand can get to know the regional characteristics and production technology of the various products, as well as having an opportunity to taste and purchase the products on display, of which four containers were shipped to Paris by AMC and CBA. On Saturday, the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the Hungarian stand was Pál Sárközy, father of the President of the French Republic.

“The French often think that they are the best and consequently the only ones who count in the field of gastronomy. But for those who know Hungary and its various regions, it is obvious that the products that originate there are of high quality”, the President of the exhibition, Jean-Luc Poulain, told the MTI. He also welcomed Hungary’s presidency of the EU, noting its good timing, since it coincides with the debate on the reform of the joint agrarian policy (CAP). Mr. Sándor Fazekas met with representatives of the most significant French agrarian organization, the FNSA, with whom he agreed that a strong CAP is needed backed by suitable financial means.

Similarly to Hungary, French animal breeders are also struggling to cope with high feed prices. Mr. Fazekas noted that French breeders are not asking for government intervention because they are afraid that it would lead to further increases in feed prices. “This standpoint coincides with that of the Hungarian government, because we see no advantage in it either. If the government intervened in the purchasing process, it would simply lead to increased prices” – said the Minister. In his opinion, the new feeds coming out this spring will ease the situation for animal breeders and will help decrease prices.

At the agricultural exhibition, Mr. Sándor Fazekas met with his French colleague Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of Agriculture, with whom he discussed the preparations for the summit meeting of the G20 European Agriculture Ministers to be held in June. The agenda of the summit will include discussions on fluctuating agricultural prices, the status of world food safety and necessary international measures. The Minister also had informal meetings with Aghatam Ag Alhassane and Khadim Gueye, his counterparts from Mali and Senegal, respectively.

(Ministry of Rural Development, Press Office)