19th Ministerial Meeting: APD Germany – South East Europe deepens regional cooperation in agriculture and rural development in the Western Balkans

The countries of South East Europe Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia as well as the Republic of Moldova have reaffirmed their joint commitment to a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector as part of the European integration process.

A key instrument of this cooperation is the Agricultural Policy Dialogue Germany – South East Europe (APD), which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) and implemented by the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) of South Eastern Europe (local project implementer) and IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH (international consulting contribution).

At the 63rd meeting of the SWG in September 2025 in Prizren, Kosovo, representatives of the SWG member institutions and partner organizations discussed the progress made in regional cooperation and drew up the priorities for the coming project period. In addition, the conclusions of the Agricultural Policy Forum, summarized in the “Ohrid Agenda 2025,” were presented and discussed.

The results of this meeting were confirmed on Oct 1, 2025, at the 19th Ministerial Conference of South East European Agriculture Ministers in Pristina, Kosovo. High-ranking representatives from the region and international partners took part in the conference.

Martina Englhardt-Kopf, Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMLEH, addressed the participants with an official welcome speech. She reaffirmed the German government's support for the EU accession of the six Western Balkan states and the Republic of Moldova, as well as for the continuation of the Berlin Process. A central component of this support is the promotion of investment in climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energies, the circular economy, and resource-efficient land management.