Skopje, 11 November 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski denied claims on Tuesday that funds from the IPARD program have been blocked by the European Commission following the arrest of the head of the Agency for Financial Support of Agriculture and Rural Development in a bribery case, stressing that the investigation is expanding since there are reports of previous abuses.

“No. On the contrary, the positive action has been welcomed by the European Commission,” Mickoski said when asked if the funds were blocked by Brussels.

The Prime Minister said he requested a suspension of payments of funds from the European Union’s IPARD program in order to assess how widespread the abuses were.

“We must see how far the abuses go. Since initial reports show that this isn’t new, but something that has been done for years. So, we will investigate, and anyone who thinks they will pass unscathed is lying to themselves. Everyone will answer, from first to last, regardless of who they are,” Mickoski said.

On Monday, the Ministry of Finance said a decision has been made to temporarily halt the payment of funds from the IPARD program following the arrests.  

“The European Commission and the services in Brussels were informed of this decision on the same day, and they responded by welcoming the decision of the national structures. The goal is to ensure confidence that the established system guarantees the legality and regularity of IPARD payments, as well as the existence of effective measures for the protection against fraud and corruption,” the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, the national structures tasked with managing funds from the IPA/IPARD instrument are undertaking additional measures and activities related to current developments.

Since 2009, the Republic of North Macedonia has been granted the right by the European Commission for decentralized management of funds from the IPA/IPARD instrument. 

Photo: Government