Beirut: Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani on Thursday received Bulgarian Ambassador Iassen Tomov for talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in agriculture, food, and trade, and expanding opportunities for Lebanese agricultural products. Discussions covered agricultural research, plant and animal production, food safety, phytosanitary and veterinary cooperation, technology transfer, and ways to facilitate agricultural and food trade between Lebanon and Bulgaria.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, the Cabinet approved authorizing Hani to sign a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation between the Lebanese and Bulgarian ministries after completion of the required legal and administrative procedures. The planned three-year MoU will provide an institutional framework for cooperation in research, forests, seed testing, sustainable agriculture, technology, training, and market access. It will also replace the agricultural agreement signed in Sofia on June 25, 1998, once it enters into force.

Hani said Lebanon was seeking practical partnerships based on knowledge, technology, trade, and agricultural investment, while Tomov stressed Bulgaria's interest in expanding cooperation in agricultural expertise, technology, and food trade.