Food security is a cornerstone of global peace

By: STA Date: 2022. 10. 31. 07:09

The Sixth Bread of Peace Conference was held in Slovenia on October 27-28, with the participation of 12 countries. At the event, Hungary was represented by Oszkár Ökrös, the Deputy Secretary of State responsible for international relations of the Ministry of Agriculture (AM) and the delegation of the city of Szarvas, the AM told MTI on Friday.

(Photo: Pixabay)

According to the announcement, the Bread of Peace initiative was launched by the German Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the partner ministries of Central and Eastern Europe 25 years after the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain, thereby recognizing the role of Hungary and other countries in the region in the creation of German reunification. Each of the 12 European countries participating in the project will be sent a package of rye seeds, after sowing and harvesting, they will bake a large common bread, “Bread of Peace”, symbolizing peace, cohesion and friendship between peoples. The rye sent to Hungary is sown and harvested every year in Szarvas, in the area of the National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center (NAIK).

The goal of the Peace Bread initiative is to facilitate the exchange of information and the building of professional relations, as well as to strengthen multilateral cooperation

The project also draws attention to the fact that one of the key elements of global peace is a safe and healthy food supply. The actuality of the connection between peace and agriculture in the light of the Ukrainian conflict was discussed by the participants of the conference with the involvement of the ministers of Ukraine and Moldova. Oszkár Ökrös was quoted in the announcement, who highlighted the role of food security in maintaining global peace. He said that the war in Ukraine threatens global food security, and therefore it is the joint responsibility of Hungary and the countries of the region to provide assistance. An important element of this is the operation of the Solidarity Corridors, thanks to which the import of Hungarian grain and oilseeds from Ukraine has increased significantly, and the further expansion of transport capacities is a priority. Hungary has carried out and will continue to carry out a number of railway infrastructural developments in order to increase transshipment capacities and improve conditions in the area of the Hungarian-Ukrainian railway border section – reads the statement of the AM.

MTI