This was discussed during a meeting held by the acting director general of the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA), Alexandr Manciu, and the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Moldova and FAO Regional Program Coordinator for Europe and Central Asia, Raimund Jehle. During the dialogue, the strategic nature of the partnership between ANSA and FAO was reaffirmed, and the importance of the support provided to strengthen national food safety systems and veterinary and phytosanitary controls was highlighted. Particular attention was paid to Moldova's progress in harmonizing its national regulatory framework and practices with European Union requirements in the context of the accession process and negotiations on Chapter 12 ("Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy"). The meeting addressed a number of priority areas for cooperation, including: strengthening support for food business operators (including small enterprises) through advisory services on new food safety requirements and standards in the context of harmonization with EU legislation; combating antimicrobial resistance and strengthening laboratory capacity; prevention and surveillance of transboundary animal diseases, including risk management in the agri-food sector; - strengthening the role of the Codex Alimentarius and Moldova's participation in international mechanisms for the development and promotion of food safety standards. A separate topic of discussion was the participation of ANSA representatives in the 34th session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Europe, scheduled to take place in Berlin from September 21 to 25. Participation in such events contributes to strengthening Moldova's institutional capacity and integration into international processes related to the development and implementation of food safety standards. ANSA notes that it highly values the ongoing support provided by FAO in developing Moldova's institutional and technical capacity and reaffirms its readiness to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. // 16.09.2026 — InfoMarket.