THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
22 September 2022, Ankara – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye and the European Union took part in the InfoPoint Virtual Conference at the European Commission in Brussels to discuss the progress, achievements and successes of the EU-funded project “Building Resilience of Syrians Under Temporary Protection and Host Communities in Türkiye through Supporting Socio-Economic Integration and Creating Livelihood Opportunities”, which is implemented by FAO and funded through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis (EUTF Syria).
On behalf of the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), the Trust Fund Manager, Angela Atzori, welcomed the participants and expressed appreciation for the event and the opportunity to discuss the EU-funded project implemented by FAO in Türkiye, that has been improving the livelihood of many vulnerable Syrian and Turkish agriculture workers, women, and men, in the country, and leading effective change in such challenging times.
FAO Türkiye Representative Viorel Gutu, who gave the keynote speech at the meeting, explained that “While our efforts as all stakeholders to address the Syrian crisis have focused largely on meeting the basic needs of vulnerable populations, the importance of creating employment opportunities to ensure the stability and resilience of Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTPs) and host communities has increased over time. Given the magnitude of certain restrictions on the integration of these communities into the labour market, for example, the lack of necessary skills, language barriers and the economic situation in the southern regions of the country, targeting the agri-food sector in the short and medium term is considered a viable option.”
In her speech, FAO Assistant Representative for Türkiye, Ayşegül Selışık, underlined the importance of international cooperation and inter-agency dialogue. “Through the strategies put forward by SRRP, the process, which first started with a project funded by UNHCR, has assumed increasing importance in FAO-Türkiye’s emergency response through additional funds provided by the Government of Japan. Our experience and expertise in the emergency field has grown significantly with the implementation of the EU-funded MADAD project, especially taking in the light of the outcomes of the last three years.”
Fuat Kasımcan, Director-General of the General Directorate of European Union and Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, renewed appreciation for the EU support to the project, and noted that “Together with FAO, we have implemented important projects to strengthen the integration of social and economic qualifications for SuTPs in the food and agriculture sector, and to increase the income opportunities of local people.”
The project is carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security within the scope of the Syrian Refugee Resilience Plan.
