Macedonia and Serbia have come to an agreement the price of phytosanitary certificates for import of wheat to be the same and the flour issue to be settled in an upcoming meeting set to take place in Belgrade.

“We’ve agreed (the certificates) to cost the same. In Serbia a phytosanitary certificate costs MKD 8,550 and the same certificate in Macedonia ranges from MKD 10,000 to 11,000 – the price is higher by MKD 1,500-2,000. The cost of the certificate will be the same as it is in Serbia,” stated Macedonia’s Minister of Agriculture Mihail Cvetkov after a meeting Friday with Serbia’s Deputy PM and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Rasim Ljajic, who is visiting Macedonia.

As regards the flour issue, Cvetkov said Serbia covered 95% of the overall import of wheat and flour. Flour imported at a low price is an issue, he added.

“We cannot solve this matter today. Teams will be set up by the countries in order the matter to be resolved next time we go to Serbia,” Cvetkov stated.

Joint promotion on third markets has been also agreed as the meeting also focused on the issue regarding the export of meat products from Macedonia to Serbia.

According to Serbian Minister Ljajic, Macedonia is a key trade partner of Serbia. The export of goods rose by 30% in the first six months, he informed.

“It seems like this is going to be a record-breaking year in terms of the volume of export and import from Macedonia. We want the trend to be maintained. The goal of this meeting was to lift all barriers… Phytosaniatry certificates will cost the same both in Serbia and in Macedonia, however one permanent solution is these certificates to be recognized by the countries so as to prevent any obstacles from occurring in the future,” noted Ljajic.