During a working visit to the State of Israel, Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Davit Songulashvili, met with Avi Dichter, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Israel.

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the meeting centred on the strong partnership between the two countries and on strengthening cooperation in the trade of agricultural products and the exchange of expertise. They also note that Davit Songulashvili highlighted the importance of Avi Dichter’s visit to Georgia in September this year.

“The meetings held in Georgia once again confirmed the strong partnership between our two countries. I am pleased that we are continuing this important dialogue in Israel, which is a global leader in agricultural innovation, technology and research. This return visit expresses our mutual commitment to elevating the Georgia-Israel partnership to a new strategic level. Georgia values this friendship, and I am confident that our cooperation will continue to bring tangible benefits to our farmers, researchers, businesses and citizens,” stated Davit Songulashvili.

Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture highlighted several areas when discussing cooperation with the State of Israel. Georgia is ready to strengthen practical cooperation in areas such as plant and animal genetic resources, storage, processing and post-harvest technologies, greenhouses, aquaculture technologies, food policy and food safety, laboratory methodologies and research standards, and innovative technologies.

Davit Songulashvili emphasised the importance of raising student qualifications in the agricultural sector and of joint educational programmes.

Avi Dichter thanked Davit Songulashvili for the return working visit to the State of Israel and spoke of the importance of deepening cooperation between the two countries in the agricultural sector. Attention was centred on the growth of trade and economic relations, as well as the move towards realising import-export potential. Avi Dichter expressed his willingness to implement student exchange programmes.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the ministers signed a declaration of intent, within the framework of which key areas of cooperation were identified, including: expansion of trade in agricultural products; food security; facilitation of the implementation of modern irrigation systems; establishment of modern orchards; sharing of experience regarding smart farm management systems; deepening cooperation between scientific research institutes; cooperation in the veterinary sphere, as well as in the area of animal health monitoring; food safety, including the development of laboratory capabilities.

“We are confident that this legal and institutional framework creates an excellent foundation for new and ambitious joint initiatives,” stated Davit Songulashvili.