The European Court of Auditors (ECA), as the EU's external audit institution, seeks good contacts and working relations with similar organisations all over the world. Particular attention is given to the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in Europe, where cooperation with SAIs of EU Member States and EU candidate and potential candidate countries are of especially important.
The objective of this cooperation is closely linked to the Court's responsibility for the audit of EU funds. As these funds generally pass through the national administrations of the countries concerned and the respective SAIs audit those administrations, close cooperation between the ECA and national SAIs is essential for effective and efficient implementation of the ECA's tasks.
The ECA applies generally accepted international public sector auditing standards and international cooperation provides valuable opportunities to exchange views and experiences on their use.
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Meeting of the Liaison Officers of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the EU on 15 & 16 October 2009
Luxembourg
The programme of the meeting included a review of Contact Committee activites carried out in 2008-2009, discussion of the organisation and governance of the Contact Committee, as well as an examination of the activities of the working groups covering specific areas of the management of EU funds and audit issues. Photo
15/10/2009
Contact Committee workshops on 23 and 24 September 2009
Helsinki
The National Audit Office of Finland organised, on 23-24 September 2009, a Contact Committee Workshop on "The Audit of Financial Sustainability and other Fiscal Related Themes" and "The Audit of Lisbon Strategy Related Topics". Presentations on the following themes were provided: "Information used for Financial planning and budgeting and Compliance with Fiscal Policy Rules", "Evaluation of the 'True and Fair' information in the Financial Central Government Reporting", "Structural Reforms Promoting Competitiveness and Productivity", "Productivity and Sustainability of the Public Economy", "National Approach by Member States to the Audit of the Lisbon Strategy". After in-depth discussions about the two key issues in 5 break-out groups, the participants from 18 Supreme Audit Institutions and the European Court of Auditors concluded that one network on Fiscal Policy and one on Lisbon Strategy related Audit shall be created. The networks shall facilitate the exchange of experiences, methods, information, coordination and cooperation for auditors involved in these subjects. Further details will be elaborated for decision at the forthcoming meeting of the Heads of EU Supreme Audit Institutions (Contact Committee) at the end of November 2009, in Budapest. Photo
23/09/2009
Visit of ECA President Vítor Caldeira to the Supreme Chamber of Control (NIK) of Poland
Warsaw
On 29 and 30 June, ECA President Vítor Caldeira paid a 2-day visit to the Supreme Chamber of Control (NIK). Together with ECA Member Jacek Uczkievicz and ECA Liaison Officer Hendrik Fehr, he was received by the President of the NIK, Mr Jacek Jezierski and by its Vice-Presidents and Director-General. Mr Caldeira gave a presentation on the Court's performance audit during a conference organised by the NIK. He was also received by the President of the Polish Republic, Mr Lech Kaczynski. This visit offered an opportunity to share experiences and information on various subjects such as the Supreme Audit Institutions’ Key Performance Indicators and Peer Reviews. Photo
