Kickoff ceremony of the “EU4Lankaran” program

The official kickoff ceremony of the “EU4Lankaran” program organized by the Delegation of European Union to Azerbaijan together with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan took place in Lankaran on November 30.

“EU4Lankaran” program provides EU’s comprehensive support to Lankaran-Astara economic region and local communities for effective and sustainable, environment-friendly and climate change-resistant solutions in the fruit and vegetable sector across the region.  The program aims to improve the regional spatial planning system, establish and modernize local economic and community cooperation hubs, and improve the business and investment conditions in the fruit and vegetable sector of the Lankaran-Astara economic region.

Emphasizing the importance of Lankaran-Astara economic region’s development in the country’s economy, EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko said: “I am very enthusiastic about this program because the EU shares with Azerbaijan its best practices with regard to climate change resilience and green economy into regional development programming”.

Technical assistance project “EU support to Lankaran-Astara economic region”, Twinning project “Strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary (SFS) measures in Azerbaijan” and Grant project “Promoting competitiveness, collaboration and modernization in Fruit and Vegetable sector in Lankaran-Astara economic region” were presented in the event.  

After the event, the EU Ambassador met with SMEs, and presented certificates to farmers, starting tourism business who were trained within the EU-funded “AgroVision” project.

In addition, the ambassador together with the National Coordinator of the Erasmus+ educational program and Young European Ambassadors delivered a lecture at Lankaran State University.