The challenges facing Montenegro were the topic of a meeting between representatives of the Montenegrin Government and FAO in Dushanbe.

The challenges that limit agricultural development and the livelihood of the rural population, which Montenegro faces due to its mountainous terrain and insufficient investment in infrastructure, were the topic of a meeting between representatives of the Montenegrin Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Dushanbe.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Vladimir Joković, and the Director-General of the FAO, Qu Dongju, discussed, at a meeting organized within the framework of the Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia, the possibilities for providing technical assistance to Montenegro.

This would, as explained by the relevant Ministry, support the diversification of rural areas, the development of agritourism, sustainable forest management, and the use of small agricultural machinery adapted to mountainous areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture announced that Joković participated in the session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia, which is being held this week in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

"The Ministry has a long-standing and successful cooperation with FAO in strengthening institutional capacities, implementing reform policies and providing technical support in implementing new investments, as well as in preparing Montenegro for EU accession, which is reflected in the implementation of the current Cooperation Framework Program," the statement said.

They added that the conference is being held under the slogan United for Sustainability, with the aim of providing a key platform for the development of joint and concrete activities in light of global challenges in the field of agricultural production, enabling the unhindered flow of food and agricultural products, climate change and the preservation of biodiversity.

Dongyu said he was pleased with Joković's presence at the conference and added that it was important for all FAO members from Europe to participate in finding common solutions to global challenges in the field of food and agriculture.

At the meeting with Joković, he praised Montenegro's progress in European integration and its active participation in FAO initiatives.

Joković thanked FAO for its support, especially in providing expert assistance, and emphasized that the intensification of cooperation is also reflected in the opening of their office in Podgorica, as well as in support in securing additional investments from other funds.

Joković also discussed with the Minister of Agriculture of Tajikistan, Hakimzoda Kurbon, the importance of proactive action by developing countries and taking a leadership role in creating and implementing measures that contribute to solving current challenges in the field of food production, by applying sustainable methods that are resilient to climate change and geopolitical dynamics.