Direct institutional cooperation, but also in production, safe food, veterinary medicine, phytosanitary controls and science was in the focus of Friday's meeting between Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupco Dimovski and Lithuanian counterpart Kazimieras Starkevicius.

Dimovski and Starkevicius also referred to intensification of bilateral exchange, taking into consideration Lithuania's interest for import of Macedonian wine and vegetables.

"The visit represents an excellent opportunity for start of serious cooperation. We had constructive talks over the establishment of direct contacts between the countries' ministries. Moreover, we agreed on cooperation in the control of food products, agencies for food and veterinary medicine, as well as agencies for financial support", said Dimovski after the meeting.

Macedonia will have the opportunity to use Lithuanian experiences in the EU approximation process and meeting of required criteria, but also the practice of establishing agriculture cooperative associations.

"About 20 percent of Lithuania's total export goes to agriculture. Still, being a country situated in the north, we have a necessity of gardening products, and since Macedonian production is excellent, we would like to import more. I expect an increase of quantities in 2012", said Starkevicius.

Minister Dimovski briefed his Lithuanian colleague on reforms in Macedonian agriculture sector, which have been praised by the European Commission, stressing wine, gardening products, tobacco and fruits as strategic products. Agriculture export in 2011 has surpassed EUR 500 million.

Interlocutors also agreed on university cooperation, student exchange, as well as performance of Macedonian companies at next year's agriculture fair in Lithuania.

Dimovski urged Lithuanian companies from the agriculture sector to visit Macedonia and witness the country's investment opportunities.

In the course of the visit, Lithuanian Minister Starkevicius is set to visit distribution center "Agrokor", several wineries and farms.