On the afternoon of 19 September 2011, Niu Dun, Vice Minister of Agriculture met in Beijing with Perica Ivanovski, Macedonian Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management; Barna Tanczos, Romanian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Kazys Starkevicius, Lithuanian Agriculture Minister. They came to China to attend the sixth China-Central and Eastern Europe Agriculture Economic Trade Forum.
Niu reviewed the cooperation China and Macedonia have had in agriculture, and put forward the following suggestions for more cooperation ahead: first, increase exchange and mutual visits of personnel, and make work plans to drive specific and pragmatic cooperation; second, conduct cooperation projects on agricultural science and technology, especially in rice machinery; third, enhance economic and trade cooperation between the two sides to facilitate the cooperation of enterprises. Ivanovski agreed with Niu, noting that the Macedonian government is working hard to create favorable conditions to attract foreign capitals. The Macedonian side welcomes that China’s enterprises would invest in Macedonia’s agriculture for exporting products to other European countries in addition to meeting the domestic demand in Macedonia.
Tanczos talked with Niu about areas where Romania would like to work together with China, including animal husbandry, export of organic agricultural and side-line products, and farmland water conservancy and irrigation. Niu said that China would conduct cooperation with the Romanian side in areas mentioned above, and suggested that the two sides implement their cooperation agreement, establish an agricultural cooperation working group for strengthening communication and exchange, and holding discussions on projects and implementation plans.
Starkevicius introduced agricultural development in Lithuania to Niu, and expected an increased export of Lithuanian agricultural products to China. Niu stated that China supports trade liberalization and welcomes agro-products from Lithuania, and suggested that the Lithuanian side participate more in exhibitions and expos to be held by the Chinese side to make Chinese consumers more familiar with Lithuanian agriculture and products.