Brussels, 13/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) signed a strategic partnership agreement on Monday to work more closely together in developing countries and make the most of their respective skills with the aim of taking more effective action against poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Targets. This reinforced partnership agreement was signed by EU Development Commissioner, Poul Nielson, and FAO Secretary General Jacques Diouf. It will cover activity in the domains of food security, sustainable rural development and farm policies, food quality and safety, the management of natural resources, statistical cooperation and the exchange of information.
The EU and the FAO have been working together since 1991, running a total of 116 projects for a total of EUR 108 million. Most of the projects to date have provided technical aid to developing countries with regard to food security, farming, forestry and fisheries.