Slovak ministries sign memorandum to combat agricultural fund misuse

Slovak Ministers of Agriculture Richard Takáč and Interior Matúš Šutaj Eštok have signed a memorandum of cooperation intended to accelerate investigations into the suspected misuse of funds distributed through the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA). The initiative follows criticism from the European Commission regarding slow administrative processes in Slovakia.

The agreement aims to streamline communication by allowing the police to request documentation and expert assistance through a designated contact person. Minister Šutaj Eštok emphasized that the memorandum does not expand the legal powers of the ministries or the police, nor does it interfere with ongoing criminal investigations or personal data protection.

Opposition MP Alojz Hlina criticized the signing as an ‘embarrassing farce’ and a ‘tragicomedy’ designed for cameras. He expressed concern over the lack of public access to the memorandum's text and suggested the agreement might serve as a mechanism to prevent investigators from conducting thorough inquiries.