Ministry of Agriculture: Slaimiya discusses accelerating agricultural cooperation and strengthening food security with the representative of Portugal.

• Slaimiya pushes for the implementation of the agricultural memorandum of understanding (MoU).
• A partnership to develop agricultural production and marketing.
• Portugal reaffirms its continued support for Palestine.

Ramallah: October 20, 2026

Minister of Agriculture, Professor Rizq Slaimiya , met with the Representative of the Portuguese Republic to the State of Palestine, José Eduardo Guedes de Sousa, at the Ministry’s headquarters. The discussion focused on ways to strengthen bilateral agricultural cooperation and accelerate the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides. The initiative aims to serve developmental and economic priorities, bolster food security, and support the resilience of Palestinian farmers.

Slaimiya emphasized the importance of building upon existing bilateral relations and Portugal’s supportive stance toward Palestine. He stressed the need to transition agricultural cooperation into a phase of practical implementation by developing an operational action plan and establishing a joint high-level agricultural committee. This committee would oversee implementation and coordinate efforts, ensuring that the agreed-upon understandings are translated into programs and projects with sustainable developmental and economic impact.
Slaimiya outlined the primary challenges facing the Palestinian agricultural sector. He underscored the importance of directing cooperation toward sustainable agricultural development, enhancing technical and institutional capacities, advancing scientific research, agricultural extension services, and insurance, as well as expanding marketing opportunities for Palestinian products. Such efforts are intended to boost the sector's competitiveness, create job opportunities, and improve livelihoods in rural areas. The Minister highlighted the importance of leveraging Portuguese expertise and experience to develop the agricultural sector. He emphasized the need to enhance technical cooperation to support the requirements of Palestinian farmers, improve agricultural production, bolster the sector's resilience against challenges, and strengthen the farmers' steadfastness and connection to their land.
This meeting follows up on the understandings reached during Minister Slaimiya’s visit to Lisbon, Portugal,  last June, where he met with his Portuguese counterpart. The visit was part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and develop an effective agricultural partnership that serves the mutual interests of both nations.
For his part, the Portuguese representative praised the depth of the bilateral relationship and the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continuing its support for Palestine, strengthening the agricultural partnership, and expanding the horizons for development and economic cooperation—including the exchange of expertise and knowledge. Such efforts, he noted, contribute to sustainable agricultural development and create new opportunities for cooperation, investment, and trade between the two sides. He further indicated that the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture continues to review Palestinian proposals aimed at accelerating the implementation of the action plan and enhancing joint cooperation.
The meeting was attended, on the Portuguese side, by the Deputy Head of Mission, João Gil Freitas. Representing the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture were Deputy Minister Eng. Badr Al-Hawamdeh; Director General of International Relations, Public Relations, and Media, Eng. Mahmoud Fatafta; and Director General of the Minister’s Office, Ms. Diana Elian.