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EU Support Improves Rural Developement in Turkey

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The launching event for the 8th Call for Applications of IPARD II was held with the participation of HE Dr Bekir Pakdemirli, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr André Lys, Minister Counsellor and Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Turkey, Mr Yunus Kılıç, Member of the Parliament and President of the Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission, H.E. Faruk Kaymakci, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr Hakan Kalender, President of IPARD Agency.

 

The event marked the launch of the 8th Call for project applications under the IPARD II Programme financed under the Instrument for Pre-Accession of the European Union. The call focusses on investments in physical assets concerning processing and marketing of agricultural and fishery products for a total budget of EUR 50 million.

 

On the occasion of the event, the Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey, Ambassador Christian Berger, said: "We are looking forward to a successful implementation of this 8th call for investments in the processing of agricultural and fishery products. By promoting investments in new machinery and equipment, the programme will contribute to upgrade food processing establishments in Turkey. More importantly, it will help reaching the same level as those in the EU, specifically with regards to food hygiene and environmental standards. The IPARD programme has so far provided investment support to more than 14,500 projects on food production, food processing and rural diversification. IPARD has created more than 57.000 jobs in rural areas and more are created every month. IPARD supports a wide spectrum of activities, from beekeepers to milk processors. And very importantly, it has a specific focus on women and young entrepreneurs."

 

 

What is IPARD?

  • IPARD is the Instrument for Pre-Accession for Rural Development.
  • IPARD's main objective is to prepare candidate countries to implement the EU Common Agricultural Policy upon their accession to the EU.
  • IPARD helps Turkey to align its agri-food sector to the European standards and supports Turkey in developing its institutions as well as its rural areas through financial and technical assistance.
  • The programme, which is implemented through a dedicated Turkish institution accredited by the EU i.e. the IPARD Agency (TKDK in Turkish), provides economic development opportunities in 42 provinces in Turkey.
  • Projects funded under the Rural Development Programme are fostering investments marked by a transfer of technology, process and innovation.
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For further information please contact:

Ms. Leyla Alma Tel: (+90 312) 4598700, email: leyla.alma@eeas.europa.eu

For further information on the Call for Applications: please visit www.tkdk.gov.tr

 

For press inquiries please contact:

Ms. Miray Akdağ

Press and Information Officer of the Delegation of the EU to Turkey

Tel: 0312 4598700,  E-mail: miray.akdag@eeas.europa.eu