The speech of Mr. Agron Duka, Minister of Agriculture and Food, addressed at the 27th Session of IFAD Governing Council

Honorable Mr. President,
Honorable Mr. Chairman,
Honorable Governors,
Ladies and Gentleman

On behalf of the Albanian delegation I have the pleasure to greet the works of this session and on this occasion to thank the President of IFAD, Mr. Lennart Bage for his commitment and the fruitful contribution that exists since a decade between IFAD and Albania.

The Albanian Government considers IFAD as an important donor for the development of agricultural production in the rural mountain areas and appraises the interventions made and the support that IFAD projects have provided to the farmers of these areas through the rehabilitation of small irrigation schemes, input supply, technical assistance, etc.

The relationships between IFAD and the Albanian Authorities have been always characterized by understanding and correctness in the realization of all legal responsibilities. In order to face the challenges and execute the joint interventions, there have always exist a close and efficient cooperation among the missions of IFAD experts with Mountain Areas Development Agency, relevant local structures, Albanian specialists and rural community.

Considering agriculture as a sector that have a direct impact on income raise and food security, the Albanian Government have prepared the national strategy for economic growth and reduction of poverty particularly in the poor rural mountain areas.

This strategy is formulated based on a long-term programmatic vision of these areas and by providing a particular support to the development of private sector and out of farm activities aiming to enhance the local and regional managerial and self-acting capacities of the communities and also the support in the rehabilitation of rural and agricultural infrastructure of these areas.

In this context, I would like to express my sincere thanks for the support and contribution that IFAD in cooperation with the Albanian specialists have given for the establishment of Mountain Areas Forum in 2003. This forum would serve to ensure the efficient coordination between the beneficiaries and public organized structures.

Mr. President,

The Albanian Government shares the same opinion with IFAD Mid-Term Review Mission of Mountain Areas Development Programme related with the new social and economic conditions of mountain areas development that differ completely from those of the years 1998-1999, time when Mountain Areas Development Programme was conceived.
The idea for sustainable development of these areas, based on comprehensive analyses of livelihoods in mountain areas requires the formulation of a new Programme vision and taking of appropriate measures in compliance with the Strategy of Albanian Government
Some of the key objectives of this strategy consist in:

• Strengthening the capacity of communes, communities and municipalities to carry out participatory planning for local development projects.
• Providing of technical services to strengthen local institutions, particularly in planning and management and the identification of development funds to complement local public investments.
• Increase of agriculture production in the rural areas as well as better access to markets with quality agriculture products.

In order to implement this strategy, we would highly appreciate the support and the assistance of IFAD on:

• Strengthening and upgrading the capacity of business and producer’s associations.
• Strengthening and upgrading the provision of multi-faceted financial services for the farmers and also the provision of supplementary funds to support private investment in the mountain area.
• Extension of the action of IFAD in more areas in Albania and increase of investments in Albanian rural communities.

Appreciating the role of IFAD, the Albanian Government has approved a pledge to the Sixth Replenishment for the next three-year period.

The Albanian Delegation approve the documents submitted and discussed at this session and by expressing our appreciation for IFAD contribution in the alleviation of poverty in relevant participant countries, I would ask Mr. President, to allow me to ensure you for my full support in the implementation of IFAD projects in Albania.

Thank you for your attention.