Strengthening of agricultural ties and signing of a cooperation agreement was agreed Thursday by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Ljupco Dimovski and Hungary's Minister of Rural Development, Sandor Fazekas.

Animal husbandry, biotechnology and fruit and vegetables production are the sectors in which huge interest was shown by Hungarian representatives.

Environmental protection is a crucial segment, according to Fazekas, who urged that attention will be also paid on business relations between the countries.

"Hungary is backing the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Macedonia, but time has come to boost agricultural cooperation," the Hungarian minister said.

This is his first official visit to Macedonia after previously meeting with minister Dimovski on two occasions.

Hungary's export of agricultural products in Macedonia stands at six million euros and mainly covers grains and meat products, whereas its import is half of that amount and includes vegetables and wine.

After their meeting, Dimovski and Fazekas opened the Macedonian-Hungarian business forum, held in Skopje.