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Berisha: The abandoned Albanian farmer, the Open Balkan agreements harm our production

Politiko 2026-06-13 17:43:20

Berisha: The abandoned Albanian farmer, the Open Balkan agreements harm our

The leader of the Democratic Party of Albania, Sali Berisha, during a meeting with farmers in Cërrik as part of the "Made in Albania, Solution for the Farmer" platform, accused the government of policies towards agriculture and subsidies.

He cited the oil price crisis during the US-Iran war as an example, arguing that many European countries increased support for farmers, while according to him, in Albania the oil subsidy was removed and a policy was followed that has damaged domestic production and left farmers defenseless in the face of regional competition.

Berisha : Now can we ask ourselves the question here? Wasn't there a crisis in the price of oil during the war, the United States with Iran? It affected everywhere.
And in every country the governments first aid to farmers, absolutely in every country. Germany doubled the subsidy for oil. And every other country.
And this one, in a more brazen, more cynical way, declared that we would remove it dry. How can you remove it? And he was deceiving. He was telling journalists that in Europe this is no longer used. At a time when there is no country in Europe, I told him at the time, find a single country that does not subsidize farmers' oil.
No, it subsidizes it, but from the crisis in the Persian Gulf there were countries that doubled the subsidy, and this one removed the subsidy.
To make it impossible for you to work the land and leave. What does this mean? Why is he deceiving in this way? So, the Open Balkans. What was the Open Balkans?
It was a hostile act against you. Because it opened the doors on all sides for the flood of agricultural products from Serbia, a country that not only now, but 40 years ago had subsidies for farmers 8 times greater than what you have today. 8 times greater. Yes!
They have some of the most modern irrigation systems in Europe. Kosovo also has that inherited system, and others and others. And now they open the customs, they say, let the truck come, because the truck is delayed. And what happened?
Mass slaughter of cows, of small animals, powdered milk flooded and you are left with your products, everything else is left for you to suffer. That is why we consider your support vital.
What investments have been made in rural Albania? Almost zero. In agricultural areas, in villages, they stopped them. At a time when those were the areas with the absolute greatest needs.
So, the Albanian farmer today is an abandoned farmer, a discouraged farmer, a farmer condemned by the products that come after the opening of the borders in the Open Balkans.
Today I am here to pledge to you that one of the first acts, the final cancellation of every act of the Open Balkans. Yes!
And although the European Union gave you an ultimatum, they had it in mind, if you remember, they had left a meeting, they said, in Durrës, with this one, with Vučić and that of the other prime minister. We went out, we organized a protest on the boulevard at that time.
But the ultimatum came from the European Union that was meeting again, what was it?
However, the initiative has been blocked, but the agreements continue. The agreements, which, which seriously damage our production, have not been blocked.