The Audit Office welcomes today the announcement of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) which, through the SIRAM (SAI Independence Rapid Advocacy Mechanism) has examined the obstacles that the Government has set for the conduct of the Government. Investment Program (KEP) and justifies the positions of the Audit Office.
The Audit Office adds that it is waiting for the public position of the Government that “it will now give us free access to the data of the KEP”.
The announcement, issued on Wednesday by the Audit Office, includes the announcement of INTOSAI, which without judging the legality of this temporary denial of access to information, as this can be determined only by the competent authorities and in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of Cyprus , encourages all stakeholders to develop a constructive dialogue to resolve this issue and create a favorable climate through institutions that contribute to accountability and transparency to improve the lives of citizens.
INTOSAI further declares its readiness to assist in any way or in any capacity, and to contribute to the facilitation of such a dialogue.
In the Press Release, the Audit Office adds that INTOSAI, after explaining the importance of the Supreme Audit Institutions (HEIs) in accountability and emphasizing that they can perform their work only if they are independent, without interventions, as these principles are described in its Declaration. Mexico, “he said,” after conducting our own assessment of the case, we would like to inform you that we share the Audit Office's concerns about restrictions on its right of access to information, directly and without restriction, to all the necessary documents and information for the proper fulfillment of its legal obligations.
INTOSAI is convinced that this restriction, although temporary, is contrary to the spirit of the Lima and Mexico Declarations of Independence of Higher Auditing Institutions (HEIs) and is likely to affect other aspects of HEI independence. , such as his right to decide on the time of completion and publication of his Reports and his right to decide on their content. Finally, it can undermine the ability of the HEI to play its role, in the proper assurance of accountability, for the benefit of the citizens, the Audit Office continues.
It also states that the full justification of its positions by an international organization within the scope of INTOSAI, the second largest member of an international organization after the UN, confirms that the Audit Office serves with absolute respect the principles imposed by the Constitution and rejects all unjust accusations. The Audit Office continues, stating that we expect that the Government will reconsider its stance and will now allow the smooth conduct of the audit of the Cyprus Investment Program.
She also states that she has no doubt that her own control does not conflict with the work of the Research Committee, nor does it affect it.
He points out that, even if the planning of a full audit and the collection of data started tomorrow, the Report could not, in fact, be ready before May, when the period during which the Audit Office has voluntarily imposed a restriction on issuance of reports due to the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
Therefore, in any case, our Report will not be published until the Research Committee completes its work (June 7, 2021). This was, after all, the compromise proposal of the former Attorney General Costas Clerides, which we had accepted, he adds.
Finally, the Audit Office states that based on the above, we will wait for the public position of the Government that it will give us free access to the data of the KEP, so that we can immediately start the relevant audit.
For the report of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) sources of the Legal Service told politis.com.cy that it is at least incomprehensible that the organization in its announcement refers to the spirit of the guiding authorities of Lima and not to the letter on which it had replied the Attorney General.
It is noteworthy that INTOSAI does not deal with the legality of the refusal to hand over the naturalization files, since that is the point.
As for the invitation to dialogue, the same sources state that it had taken place and Mr. Odysseas Michailidis had agreed that he would not receive the files before the investigation of the Nikolatos committee was completed and then, assisted by DIKO, changed his mind.
What sources from the Legal Service report
For the report of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) sources of the Legal Service told politis.com.cy that it is at least incomprehensible that the organization in its announcement refers to the spirit of the guiding authorities of Lima and not to the letter on which it had replied the Attorney General.
It is noteworthy that INTOSAI does not deal with the legality of the refusal to hand over the naturalization files, since that is the point.
As for the invitation to dialogue, the same sources state that it had taken place and Mr. Odysseas Michailidis had agreed that he would not receive the files before the investigation of the Nikolatos committee was completed and then, assisted by DIKO, changed his mind.
