The Agriculture Workgroup of the Hungarian-Russian Economic Joint Committee is holding a two-day session at the Ministry of Rural Development.

Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister Alexander Leonidovich Chernogorov and the Ministry of Rural Development's State Secretary for Food Chain Supervision and Agricultural Administration Economy Endre Kardeván are discussing several topics including cooperation in animal husbandry and crop production, and specifically in crop seed production, as well as trade in processed foods. The agenda includes village tourism in Hungary and this year's OMÉK agriculture fair, of which the Russian Federation is the guest of honour. The Russian delegation will also visit Hunland Ltd., which trades in livestock and meat.

Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas agreed with Russian Minister of Agriculture Nikolai Fyodorov on holding the Workgroup's session during a meeting last autumn. During their talks, they discussed opportunities for expanding bilateral relations. Both Ministers emphasised that cooperation between the two countries is developing dynamically. Hungarian exports to Russia exceeded USD 265 million in 2011, which is 16% higher than in the previous year. Exports also rose by 6% during the first two months of 2012 in comparison with the same period in 2011.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)