Skopje, 8 November 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Cvetan Tripunovski, calls for the case involving director of the Agency for Financial Support of Agriculture and Rural Development (AFSARD) to be fully investigated. This case, according to Tripunovski, is an indication that the laws apply equally to both incumbent and former officials. According to Tripunovski, there is no threat to IPARD funds or national payments that the state has. 

"The government is demonstrating a non-selective fight against corruption and abuse of office. This was not the case in the past, somehow the previous government wanted to cover up every crime. Maybe certain activities were undertaken under public pressure, but it was more of a pretence rather than real action. I encourage the competent institutions to fully investigate the entire case because only in this way will we be able to prevent any such actions in the future. At the same time, I call on all citizens, regardless of whether they are legal or natural persons, to report any clues they might have about such cases, because that is the only way to act on any deviant or illegal actions," Tripunovski said on Saturday. 

As regards the opposition's demand for his resignation from the post, Tripunovski says he sees no connection.

"I want to point out that the Agency is a separate institution, which has a separate management, a separate governing body, so I do not see any connection. Therefore, I call for this case to be fully investigated and, if there is responsibility, to act in accordance with the law," said Tripunovski. 

The director of the Agency for Financial Support of Agriculture and Rural Development (AFSARD) was caught accepting a bribe of 400 euros out of a promised 50,000 euros to sign a document that would ensure the use of funds from the IPARD Program to a company that did not meet the requirements.

Photo: MIA