Expectations of the public encourage to increase effectiveness of public audit
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"We need to find new points of contact among separate links of public finance
control system, to enhance forms of parliamentary control, as well as to focus
more on foreseeing perspectives and tendencies in our recommendations," told the
Auditor General Ms Rasa Budbergytė at the Conference dedicated to commemorate
90th anniversary of the National Audit Office of Lithuania. |
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statistically most of our recommendations are implemented, however, often fundamental recommendations which require the most efforts, and sometimes even political will remain only on paper. Hopefully, the new Seimas and Government will have more resolution for changes," noted the Auditor General.
According to Ms Irena Degutienė, First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, in
order to realize the NAOL insights expressed in audit reports, it is
necessary to enhance parliamentary control of implementation of public
audit recommendations. "I truly believe that the current Seimas, and
Committee on Audit to begin with, will strongly seek the implementation
of the NAOL recommendations by the executive power," stated Ms
Degutienė.
The necessity to enhance parliamentary control was also emphasized by Ms
Loreta Graužinienė, Chairman of the Committee on Audit. She noted that
today a close partnership between the Government and the Seimas is still
lacking in order to properly implement the NAOL recommendations.
Analysing perspectives of the EU budget European Commissioner Ms Dalia
Grybauskaitė pointed out that only a transparent and open financial
system is capable of ensuring the efficiency of the use of European
Union funds. "Maximum efficiency of the use of European Union budget
funds may be ensured only by higher transparency and openness to the
public, as well as simpler rules to aid beneficiaries and wider and more
active role of control institutions," told Ms Grybauskaitė.
According to Mr Herbert Bösch, MEP, Chairman of the Budget Control
Committee of the European Parliament, European Union needs decisive
changes in accountability system. Mr Bösch also stressed that in order
to receive the maximum benefit from the European Union funds and to use
them in accordance with EU rules and standards, a reform of European
Court of Auditors is needed, followed by active actions of national
Parliaments and Supreme Audit Institutions."Until then the Member States'
accountability to the European level is insufficient," spoke Mr Bösch.
In his speech, Mr Vitor Caldeira, President of the European Court of
Auditors noted that European Union shows an obvious progress in
improving financial management. However, in order to increase
transparency and accountability of the use of EU funds, an engagement of
all bodies involved in management, supervision, and audit at all levels
is needed.
International conference in the Seimas organized on initiative of the
National Audit Office of Lithuania and the Seimas Committee on Audit on
the occassion of the celebration of the National Audit Office of
Lithuania's 90th anniversary