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OLAF: Albania on trial for how it manages IPARD funds, 33 million euros under suspicion, 112 million frozen

2025-10-18 08:35:31Biznes SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Two years have passed since the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) report on the possible misuse of IPARD funds in Albania, but the issue remains an important test for the country's credibility as an EU candidate.

In an interview with "Monitor", the head of OLAF explains that the investigations identified "evidence of serious violations" in the use of European Union funds for agriculture, with a "potential financial risk of around 33 million euros."

As a result, the European Commission imposed precautionary measures to freeze IPARD funds totaling 112 million euros, until the Albanian authorities take the necessary measures.

OLAF stresses that cooperation with Albanian authorities has improved, especially after the adoption of the National Anti-Fraud Strategy in May, drafted with the direct contribution of the European office. However, its director warns that “strategies should not remain on paper, their value lies in implementation”.

In the current phase of the accession negotiations, OLAF sees the strengthening of Albanian institutions as a priority. The implementation of the new Criminal Code, the functioning of SPAK and the building of an effective audit and control network are essential for the management of European funds in the future.

The OLAF Director also mentioned the role of Artificial Intelligence in the fight against fraud, emphasizing that "fraudsters use modern technology, so we must also use AI to stop them."

Finally, she underlined that the way Albania manages IPARD funds will directly affect its perception as a candidate country and the possibility of benefiting from larger funds in the future:

"This is a key moment for Albania. The transition must be clean, not only environmentally, but also financially."


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