The Democratic Party has denounced what it calls the government's failure to restore European IPARD funds for Albanian farmers, three years after their suspension.
The Secretary for European Integration in the Democratic Party, Florialba Dizdari, stated that the promise of the Minister of Agriculture, Andis Salla, to open the funds of the IPARD III program within the first half of 2026 has not been fulfilled.
According to Dizdari, the deadline has passed, while the funds remain blocked. She emphasized that the European Commission has announced that the procedure is still under development and that there is no official date for the return of funding.
IPARD funds were suspended in 2023 after investigations revealed irregularities in their administration. The matter has also been investigated by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and continues to be the subject of an investigation by SPAK.
Dizdari said that the suspension of European funding has directly affected farmers, blocking investments and slowing the development of the agricultural sector.
"IPARD is a development instrument, offered by the European Union to support Albanian agriculture and livestock, to help farmers and not to be appropriated by unscrupulous officials," she said.
The DP stated that, if it comes to government, it will commit to restoring IPARD funds in cooperation with the European Commission, quintupling grants and budgetary support for farmers, as well as investigating and holding accountable those who, according to it, have abused European funds.

Statement by the Secretary for European Integration in the Democratic Party, Florialba Dizdari:
For 3 years, Albanian farmers have been without European Union IPARD funds, a dossier that directly affects the country's European integration process and is directly related to the areas of negotiations on agriculture, rural development, and food security.
IPARD is a development instrument, offered by the European Union to support Albanian agriculture and livestock, to help farmers and not to be appropriated by unscrupulous officials. Any farmer who has faced the administration of these officials knows well what corrupt impudence we are talking about.
Agricultural funds and grants that were misused by Rama's government.
The Democratic Party denounces the Rama government's next deception, the promise of the Minister of Agriculture, Andis Salla, that the IPARD III program funds would be opened within the first half of 2026.
This deadline has passed and the funds remain blocked.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has made it clear that the procedure remains ongoing and that there is no official date for the return of the funds.
IPARD funds were suspended in 2023 after irregularities and corruption were found in their administration, or rather, their misuse by Rama's officials.
This conclusion was reached by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) after relevant investigations, an issue that remains the subject of investigation by SPAK today.
Today, three years after the cessation of funds, and 13 years of misgovernment elsewhere, our farmers are suffering the consequences: investments have been blocked, agricultural development has slowed down, and Albania continues to be without access to European agricultural financing, as one of the most important instruments of this financing for the agricultural sector, vital to the country.
The Democratic Party is committed to, upon coming to government:
* immediately restore IPARD funds, in full cooperation with the European Commission;
* to fivefold grants and budgetary support for Albanian farmers;
* investigate and hold accountable all those who, with their abuses and corruption, led to the blocking of European funds for agriculture.
Albanian farmers are in the square along with thousands of other citizens, in the protest of sacrifice that today marks the 73rd day. They know better than anyone that the responsibility for the paralysis of agriculture and Albania lies with someone.
Therefore, the call roars: Rama, resign!