Baku, September 12 (AZERTAC). The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture have co-organized a workshop with an aim to evaluate implementation of the national mid-term priority frameworks (2010-2012) between FAO and Azerbaijan and preparation of the new country program for 2013-2015.

The event is attended by representatives of the respective organizations, private sector and NGOs as well as researchers and experts.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Aslan Aslanov and FAO representative in Azerbaijan, subregional coordinator for Central Asia Mustapha Sinaceur addressed the workshop, providing information about development of FAO-Azerbaijan relationship and importance of the new document.

Aslanov pointed out that Azerbaijan established close ties with the FAO in order to achieve goals set in the national midterm priority framework, production of agricultural products, preservation of natural reserves and implementation of FAO-funded projects and programs.

The Deputy Minister told of the accomplishments achieved in the agrarian field as a result of President Ilham Aliyev`s successful continuation of the economic development strategy established by national leader Heydar Aliyev. Execution of the state programs on socio-economic development of regions resulted in creation of over a million jobs of which majority falls to the agrarian sector.

He said the Azerbaijan 2020: Outlook for the Future development conception will help double GDP per capita by 2020 due to the non-oil sector. This is supposed to drive agricultural development too.

The official also spoke about the role of the international organizations including the FAO in Azerbaijan’s achieving successes in the agriculture. He noted that FAO and Azerbaijan have long history of cooperation. This organization has so far implemented many projects, programmes.

FAO representative for Azerbaijan Mustapha Sinaceur dwelled upon sustainable economic reforms carried out in the country during 20 years after country`s regaining its independence, effective management of hydrocarbon revenues and Azerbaijan’s becoming upper middle-income economy.

Sinaceur pointed out that Azerbaijan transformed from being an aid recipient into the donor country with GDP tripling and poverty level dropping from 49% in 2003 to 6% in 2012. He noted that the organization puts priority on expanding cooperation with the government of Azerbaijan. He touched upon talks on Azerbaijan’s becoming one of FAO`s partner countries.

The workshop saw discussions on evaluating the implementation of the national long-term priority framework and determining priorities of the new country program for 2013.