Serbia remains firmly committed to implementing the IPARD III program and meeting requirements that bring the country closer to EU standards, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Dragan Glamočić said today. Opening the Sixth Session of the IPARD III Monitoring Committee, he expressed confidence that cooperation with the European Commission will help identify challenges and develop solutions to further improve the system.
Glamočić stated that the situation he found in the implementation of the IPARD program was not satisfactory and that significant improvements will be required. He thanked all participants for their work so far and said he expects the session to result in clear conclusions and concrete tasks to strengthen the program.
He highlighted the continuous support provided by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), and recalled that several important steps were agreed upon during the Fifth Session. The focus of the current session, he said, is on results achieved so far and the next steps in implementation.
“It is important to determine whether all institutions involved in the system operate in a coordinated and efficient manner and whether the program is implemented in line with the expectations of the European Commission,” Glamočić noted.
He said that despite ongoing challenges, progress is visible. The Directorate for Agrarian Payments reported 1,887 applications submitted in the current cycle, with the total requested support amounting to nearly EUR 403 million — a sign of strong investment activity in agriculture. However, Glamočić emphasized the need for better information-sharing and education to improve the efficiency of potential beneficiaries.
He concluded by stressing the importance of using the experience gained so far and expressed optimism that all challenges can be overcome.
EU expects faster implementation, warns of risk of losing funds
Frank Bolen of DG AGRI said it was disappointing that under the IPARD II program Serbia used only about half of the EUR 175 million allocated for agricultural and rural development. Speaking at the Sixth Monitoring Committee session, he warned that Serbia risks losing EU funds if EUR 27 million is not utilized by the end of this year.
“Let us be open and honest — this is a mission impossible,” Bolen cautioned.
He reminded that the first spending deadline for IPARD III funds is December 31, 2025, and that failing to use funds by then would result in losses. Bolen noted that for the 2024–2027 period, the EU increased Serbia’s allocation to EUR 288 million, adding that strong demand and a high number of applications are encouraging signs.
However, he pointed out the need for better geographic distribution of projects and stronger outreach in municipalities with fewer applicants. Bolen also criticized the slow approval process in Serbia, noting that the first public call under IPARD III was published in February 2024, while the first contract was signed 19 months later — a delay that significantly increases the risk of losing funds.
“Please accelerate. These are not just numbers — they are opportunities for your farmers and rural communities,” he said. “The European Commission is ready to continue supporting Serbia, but it expects faster and more efficient implementation.”
Bolen concluded that he hopes to hear more positive messages and see concrete progress at the next meeting.
