Sectoral Agreement IPARD II: Boosting Agrarian Growth in the EU
The EU is one of the most advanced economic regions in the world, with a high level of integration and cooperation among its member states. This has led to the development of many policies and programs aimed at achieving economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability. One of these programs is the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), which provides support to countries that are candidates or potential candidates for EU membership. One of the components of IPA is IPARD II, which focuses on rural development and agriculture.
IPARD II stands for “Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance – Rural Development” and is a program designed to provide financial assistance to candidate and potential candidate countries for EU membership in the agricultural sector. The program is aimed at supporting the development of modern, competitive, and sustainable agriculture in these countries. The IPARD II program is based on the principles of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU and aims to help these countries align their agriculture with EU standards.
One of the key elements of the IPARD II program is sectoral agreements, which are voluntary agreements between the EU and the beneficiary country. These agreements define the specific actions to be taken by the beneficiary country to align its agriculture with EU standards. The agreements cover a wide range of issues, including food safety, animal health and welfare, plant health, environmental protection, and rural development. Sectoral agreements are an important tool for the successful implementation of the program, as they ensure that the support provided is targeted and effective.
The IPARD II program is funded by the EU and implemented by the beneficiary countries. The financial assistance is provided in the form of grants and is intended to support a wide range of investments in the agricultural sector, including modernization of farming practices, improvement of infrastructure, and the development of non-farming activities in rural areas. The IPARD II program is not only focused on improving the productivity and competitiveness of the agricultural sector but also aims to provide benefits to rural communities, such as improving living conditions, creating employment opportunities, and fostering social cohesion.
Since its launch in 2014, the IPARD II program has been successful in providing financial assistance to countries in the Western Balkans, Turkey, and North Macedonia. The program has supported a wide range of activities, including the improvement of livestock breeding, the modernization of farms, the development of agro-tourism, and the improvement of rural infrastructure. The program has also helped beneficiary countries to align their agriculture with EU standards, which is a key requirement for EU membership.
In conclusion, the IPARD II program is an important tool for promoting rural development and agriculture in candidate and potential candidate countries for EU membership. Sectoral agreements play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the program by providing targeted support and ensuring that beneficiary countries align their agriculture with EU standards. The program has already achieved significant results and is expected to continue to support the development of sustainable and competitive agriculture in the future.