Romania and Lithuania strengthen their relations and cooperation in the agricultural sector

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Florin Barbu and Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rolandas Taraskevicius discussed measures to protect farmers, their access to financing and the management of the effects of climate change on agriculture in Bucharest on Wednesday.

The meeting took place as Romania and Lithuania marked 35 years since the restoration of diplomatic relations and amid intensified bilateral cooperation. Trade between the two countries reached nearly €500 million in 2025, a record level.

A central topic of the discussions was combating unfair trading practices under European Directive 2019/633. The officials emphasized the need to strengthen farmer protection and ensure a fair distribution of value throughout the agri-food chain.

The two officials also examined European priorities ahead of the future Common Agricultural Policy for the 2028–2034 period. Proposals include facilitating farmers’ access to loans, including through bank financing mechanisms, and developing effective instruments to cover risks generated by climate change.

The discussions also covered Lithuania’s priorities ahead of assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2027. Romania and Lithuania support agricultural policies adapted to the realities on farms, aimed at protecting farmers’ incomes and increasing the resilience and competitiveness of the agri-food sector.