FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiThe European Commission stopped supporting Albanian agriculture through IPARD funds in August 2023 because OLAF (European Anti-Fraud Office) found serious misuse of funds from the previous IPARD II program, following investigations they conducted following complaints from various citizens about corruption, favoritism, and political interference.
2 years after the blocking of IPARD funds for agriculture, the government has still not fulfilled its duties in order for Brussels to unblock support through IPARD III.
A European Commission official said that if Albania does not protect EU taxpayer funds, funding for agriculture will not be opened.
" The European Union is ready to continue supporting Albanian farmers, the agri-food sector and rural areas in the future, provided that the financial interests of the European Union are properly protected ," the response states.
The European Commission tells Report TV that this issue should be considered a priority by the Albanian authorities, in order to correct past mistakes in the management and use of EU funds.
" Given that we are dealing with EU taxpayers' money, we expect the Albanian authorities to take this issue very seriously ," the EC says.
Currently, the EC says it has been informed by the Albanian authorities that an audit is being conducted on IPARD II payments.
“ A bilateral procedure between the European Commission and the Albanian authorities is ongoing to ensure that appropriate corrective actions are taken by the national authorities as soon as possible. In the framework of this procedure, the European Commission has been informed that the Albanian government has contracted an external audit firm to carry out a comprehensive external audit on IPARD II grants and payments, as well as on the newly established internal management and control system ,” the EC says.
The European Commission stopped supporting Albanian agriculture through IPARD funds in August 2023 because OLAF (European Anti-Fraud Office) found serious misuse of funds from the previous IPARD II program, following investigations they conducted following complaints from various citizens about corruption, favoritism, and political interference.
IPARD III, which Albanian farmers are waiting for, provides support of 112 million euros in 9 areas that will be supported with funds, such as rural infrastructure, construction of markets, agro-processing or agro-tourism, forestry, technical assistance and consulting.
On June 18, 2025, the European Commission Delegation and IPARD structures returned to Albania to analyze the monitoring reports of the funds that the EU provides for the agricultural sector in the country.
The EU delegation was briefed on the final report of IPARD II as well as the annual report for 2024.
Likewise, Albanian institutions (MARD, AZHBR) have familiarized them with the measures taken for the management and monitoring of IPARD funds.
Lini një Përgjigje