PPA Chief Rejects Allegations He Obtained Subsidy for Farm and Violated Law (2)

Bratislava, 16 March (TASR) - Head of the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA) Marek Cepko has rejected claims made by the non-governmental Let's Stop Corruption Foundation that, prior to assuming his current post, he obtained a subsidy for a family farm despite violations of the Public Procurement Act, TASR learnt on Monday. Cepko further stated that while the Economy Ministry did approve a grant of nearly €113,000 for innovative technologies in 2021, he later withdrew from the contract and received no funds. "In 2021, I had a project approved by the Economy Ministry. I was a farmer, but in 2023 I agreed with the Economy Ministry to withdraw from the contract for this project," said Cepko, explaining that communication with the ministry was extremely difficult at the time, so he didn't carry out the project. According to him, he therefore didn't conduct any public procurement, nor did he violate any regulations, and he received no money. He stated that the Economy Ministry subsequently confirmed this for him in writing. Cepko stated that he has no issues at the payment agency. "If I happen to have any, you can harshly criticise me; I'll be the first to take responsibility, but I won't let my name be tarnished," he stressed. For this reason, he's demanding a public apology from the aforementioned foundation and all media outlets, and he'll also seek non-pecuniary damages worth €30,000. "And if I'm successful, I'll donate this money to charity," he added. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) claimed that the Let's Stop Corruption Foundation has a political assignment to bring down the government and to do everything in its power to create the impression that corruption is taking place. "What has happened here is a red line," said Takac. "Their goal is to cause harm, launch political attacks, and do everything possible to make things as bad as possible in Slovakia," he continued. According to him, it is entirely politically appropriate that the government wants to use legislation to determine where NGOs receive their funding. In response, the Let's Stop Corruption Foundation stated that on 5 March it published an article titled 'Head of State Agricultural Agency Failed to Follow Procurement Rules in His Own Subsidy', which contained incorrect claims. As stated by the foundation's deputy director, Martin Suchy, it removed the article, which had been published for approximately two hours, immediately after discovering the error. It apologises to Cepko for this mistake. "We gave Mr. Cepko the opportunity to comment before publishing the article, as we always do. Mr. Cepko didn't take advantage of this opportunity. He didn't alert us to the incorrect information that we were working with, nor did he request a correction. Instead, three weeks later, he organised a press conference with Minister Takac," noted Suchy, adding that the foundation publishes dozens of their findings every week, that this was the first time it had made such a mistake and that it sincerely regrets it. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final three paragraphs. am/df