Skopje, 10 November 2025 (MIA) - Brussels has not announced a blockade to the IPARD funds we are beneficiaries of as a country. On the contrary, the fight we are leading against corruption right now, and the additional checks we are conducting within the Agency for Financial Support of Agriculture and Rural Development have been firmly praised by Brussels, said Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy, Cvetan Tripunovski on Monday.

Following an investigation launched after a police action which detained the head of the Agency and four other people due to bribery, Tripunovski said additional activities have been taken to assess the work of the Agency.

“Certain activities will be taken in terms of control mechanisms, in terms of the payment of IPARD funds,” Minister Tripunovski said.

The Minister said the Agency would receive a new director soon and resume regular work, stressing that the country is committed to tackling corruption.

MIA file photo