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IPARD/Panariti funds: There is abuse by Albanian authorities by 70%, agriculture in decline

2025-08-07 19:17:00, Politikë CNA

IPARD/Panariti funds: There is abuse by Albanian authorities by 70%, agriculture

Former Minister of Agriculture, Edmond Panariti, stated today that Albanian authorities have abused EU funds on a large scale.

In an interview on 'Syri Tv', Panariti stated that the rate of abuse of EU funds for the Western Balkans in the case of Albania has reached 70%.

Panariti expressed concern that this situation brings great harm to Albanian farmers.

"The essential source of financing for agriculture is grant funds, mainly from the EU, and they are received from countries that are in the integration process. Serbia receives over 285 million euros every year, we have not received the 112 million euros that are due to us for 2 years now. We may not receive any EU funds for the next 2 years either. Agriculture has no other option but to go into a terrible slump and this is evident from the contraction of domestic production.

From the preliminary investigations of the EU anti-corruption office, OLAF, it is thought that 35 million euros have been abused by the Albanian authorities, and 70% of the funds allocated to the BP countries, abused, come from Albania alone. Think about how great the level of abuse is from Albania. 70% of the abuse is with Albania alone. That is why the EU has cut off funds for our country and it is a loss for Albanian farmers.

Lending agriculture with sovereign funds, with the guarantee of second-tier banks for agriculture is not a solution. This has not worked, and is to divert attention, a farce from the real drama of grants and money donated by the EU to Albania. Agriculture in the EU is not financed with credit. Europe is evenly populated in its territory, we have a uniform population throughout the territory. Keeping the population in the countryside and agriculture is a central element.

The emptying of rural Albania is linked to the degradation of agriculture and the lack of support for the sector. Or even business support for agricultural production. Rural Albania has been deserted. It is dominated by the inactive 3rd age group. The rural area is also being deprived of productive and economic activity. The supply of domestic production has shrunk drastically, the supply of domestic production has shrunk, even though there is demand, there is no production. Prices are high because they are maintained by monopolies. It is a situation that harms agriculture and Albania and leads to degradation. National production should be very necessary. 70% of needs should be created by domestic production, which is not happening", said Panariti. /CNA





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