Mr. President
Distinguished Governors
Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like on behalf of the Albanian Government to thank cordially the President IFAD Mr. Bage for the invitation to participate in this anniversary session. In 25 years as an international organization IFAD through its actions in rural community has played a great role for the fighting and reduction of rural poverty in the world.

The Albanian Government appreciates the support given by the actions IFAD through the implementation of projects, especially in the mountainous, intervening in the infrastructure of irrigation, support in veterinary service, provision of inputs, extension service and credits for the farmers living in these areas.

As a new member States Albania profited two loans under two projects .The main objective of this project was the support of the farmers in the rural areas in order to secure an economical increase in the poor mountain areas in the north east of the country Both projects are considered successful because the have affected in the increase of agriculture production.

Actually the development of mountainous area is under the responsibility of two specialized agency as MADA and MAFF and focused 16 districts from 21 districts of the country.

Since two years MAFF is operating in the above areas giving credits to the farmers to develop farming and to increase their revenues. During 2002 starts the activity the Agency for the Development of Mountainous area.
This Agency has its central structure and regional structure, which are cooperating, in the districts for the development of agriculture and improvement and rehabilitation of rural infrastructure in the mountainous areas.

The agriculture and food as the main branches of the national economy consist one the priorities The Albanian government has approved the strategy for the economical and social development of the country. This strategy is focused in the reduction of poverty through a sustainable economical growth.

The priority issues for the public action are the economical growth and macroeconomic stability, health, education infrastructure and social support.

The goals and objectives of this strategy are the annual growth of the Gross domestic production 7-8 % for the period 2002-2004,the reduction of the numbers of people living in poverty, improvement in infrastructure, the reduction of infantile mortality.

In the implementation of the strategy priority would be given to the indicator of growth and economical and social indicator as a basic elements in order to reduce the poverty, improvement of links of policies and priorities of Government.

In such context, we appreciate the technical assistance and support of IFAD in close cooperation with the Albanian Institutions for the completion of a strategy for the development of the rural mountainous areas in Albania.

In such strategy would be included the policies for the economic increase, poverty alleviation in the mountainous area of the country which in cooperation with other donors envisaged the improvement of the standard of living of the rural population of these areas which represent 50% of total population as well as to secure them access and alternatives not only to increase their standard of living as well as to secure a sustainable development of agriculture in these areas.

Mr. Chairperson,

This anniversary session gives me the opportunity to express the appreciation of the Albanian Government for the support of IFAD for its catalytic role in the reduction of rural poverty in the mountainous areas .The relation between IFAD and Albanian government are characterized by correctness and a spirit of understanding in order to fulfill our objectives for the development of rural areas through a close and efficient cooperation.

We appreciate this session and the round tables as tribune of open discussion to share experiences and to cooperate with the member states for the strengthening of partnership to achieve and fulfill our objectives for the reduction of rural poverty.

The Albanian delegation agrees with and approves the documents presented in this anniversary session of the Governing Council and future activitie and initiatives of IFAD with other United Nations agencies to overcome the rural poverty.

Appreciating the proceedings of this session as well as the discussion of the Governors of the Member States, allow me to assure You for the full support and commitment of the Albanian Government for the successful achievement of the IFAD’s mission “enabling the rural poor to overcome their poverty.

Thank you for your attention.