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North Macedonia's Agriculture Ministry official sentenced to 10 months in prison for abuse of IPARD funds...
Albania continues to remain the "black sheep" regarding the abuse of EU funds.
Brussels has been demanding strong measures and accountability for the abuse of IPARD funds for months, but both the government and the judiciary have failed in this regard. The funds remain blocked because Brussels is still not convinced that they will be used correctly by the "Rama" government.
But it is different with other countries in the region, which show day by day that whoever abuses EU funds will face consequences.
Today in North Macedonia, an official of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jasmina Kostadinova, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after admitting to receiving money for the IPARD program.
In addition to the prison sentence, the confiscation of 8,000 euros, seized by investigative bodies during the checks, has also been imposed.
This corruption case does not end with Kostadinova alone, as the investigation also includes other high-profile and former officials, including the former director of the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as a former government minister.
A similar scandal erupted a few weeks ago in Greece. Following an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office, it was revealed that there was abuse of agricultural funds. The investigation into the case relates to events dating back to 2021 and includes serious charges, including incitement to abuse of office, computer fraud and falsification of documents with the aim of illegal gain.
This major scandal shook the political scene in Greece, leading to the resignation of 2 ministers and 1 deputy minister. The immunity of several MPs involved in the scandal was also lifted.
But only in Albania is the IPARD file still pending. In June 2021, the European Commission, through the Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), sent a criminal complaint to SPAK and an official statement to Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing former minister and former president of AZHBR, Frida Krifca, of massive abuse of IPARD II funds intended for Albanian farmers. Instead of taking action, Edi Rama rewarded her with a ministerial post, an appointment that caused a strong reaction from Brussels. The Albanian government promised verifications and cooperation with OLAF, but in reality did not take any concrete action.
Currently, SPAK is said to be closing the file, but there is still no concrete accusation against Krifca or the other names involved. Krifca herself and some of her associates have been questioned, but the investigations have been in the preliminary phase for almost 5 years. Meanwhile, the neighbors are acting differently. /Pamphlet
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