Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas met with Deputy Secretary-General of the FAO Denis Aitken, with whom he reviewed current issues concerning the relationship between Hungary and the organisation.

The parties expressed their satisfaction with regard to the success of the Hungary – FAO Scholarship Programme, within the framework of which 159 students from low income countries have received university educations in both English and Hungarian since 2008.



Another important topic of the meeting was the proposed expansion of the activities and function of the FAO Shared Services Center (SSC), which operates in Hungary. On 8 October 2013, the SSC office in Budapest will be holding a large-scale event to mark the fifth anniversary of its opening. The Ministry of Rural Development will take this opportunity to provide the FAO with further office space. At the invitation of Minister Sándor Fazekas, FAO Director General Graziano da Silva will also be attending the ceremony organised to mark the office's fifth anniversary and its expansion.



The "Global Forum and Expo on Family Farming", which will be held on March 4-7 2014 as the opening event of the International Year of Family Farming, will also be a large-scale occurrence for both the FAO and Hungary. The global professional conference will also provide an opportunity for family farms from a variety of countries to present themselves and their products.

(Ministry of Rural Development)