Salimiyah receives the European Union Representative to Palestine and discusses strengthening the partnership, supporting the agricultural sector.

• Slaimiya: Protecting the olive harvest season and supporting farmers is a priority.
• Slaimiya outlines needs for rehabilitating the agricultural sector in Gaza Strip.
• Discussion covers projects, funding, partnership development, and the urgent response program.

Ramallah: October 6, 2026

Minister of Agriculture Professor Rizq Slaimiya received the European Union Representative to the State of Palestine, Mr. Andreas Fiedler, on Tuesday. The introductory meeting marked Mr. Fiedler’s assumption of his new role and the official accreditation of his mission. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen and sustain the partnership and support the Palestinian agricultural sector. Slaimiya reviewed the current state of the sector, highlighting key challenges and priorities. He emphasized the importance of supporting and protecting farmers during the olive harvest season and ensuring their access to their lands and trees amidst existing difficulties—as well as the resulting losses and repercussions for farmers, the national economy, and food security. The two sides also discussed the agricultural situation in Gaza Strip and the needs for rehabilitating the sector—which has suffered extensive destruction—including addressing the war's impact and remnants on soil and water, rehabilitating agricultural lands and facilities, and providing the necessary materials, inputs, and tools to restore agricultural activity and production, as well as creating job opportunities and sources of food and income. Slaimiya commended the support provided by the European Union to the agricultural sector and discussed with Veder current and future projects, programs, and funding, as well as the importance of aligning interventions with the sector's actual priorities. They also discussed the urgent response program being implemented by the Ministry with government funding to support farmers and address emergency needs.
Salimiya emphasized the importance of building upon existing programs and transitioning toward a long-term strategic partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and the European Union—one that supports farmers' resilience, enhances food security, and fosters the development of agricultural production and investment in the sector. For his part, the European Union representative underscored the importance of continued cooperation and partnership with the Ministry and support for the Palestinian agricultural sector. The meeting was attended by European Union representatives Ammar Al-Khatib (Program Manager for Infrastructure and Agriculture) and Shadi Othman (Media and Communication Officer); and by Ministry of Agriculture representatives Badr Al-Hawamdeh (Undersecretary), Tariq Abu Laban (Assistant Undersecretary), Adiba Musleh (Assistant Undersecretary), Maram Sawalha (Director General of Planning), Mahmoud Fatafta (Director General of International and Public Relations and Media), and Diana Alian (Director General of the Minister’s Office).