site.btaNational Audit Office, Transparency International Sign Memorandum of Cooperation in Countering Corruption

At a meeting here on Thursday, Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) President Dimitar Glavchev and Kalin Slavov, Executive Director of Transparency International Bulgaria, discussed cooperation in the fight against corruption, exchange of good practices for greater transparency and accountability in the public sector, opportunities for citizen monitoring for timely implementation of the BNAO's recommendations by the audited organisations. The sides signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, the BNAO said in a press release.

The Memorandum foresees cooperation in several areas: in the process of communication with civil society to increase understanding of the role and responsibilities of the BNAO; in the planning process of audit activities, where appropriate; during audits through the use of expertise and analysis; participation in joint events related to the prevention and fight against corruption.

Glavchev said that the BNAO and the nongovernmental organization are continuing and expanding the joint cooperation that began more than ten years ago with the signing of memorandums in 2014 and 2015. Those were about ensuring transparency and publicity of election campaign financing. "But the BNAO and Transparency International have much more potential to work together, to exchange ideas and information. The NGO is a leader in the field of publicity and transparency, which are also basic principles in the work of the National Audit Office," added Glavchev. 

Slavov said that the BNAO is among the most prestigious organizations in Bulgaria, as shown by the opinion polls done by Transparency International. The institution stands out with a high level of trust and authority, he added. Slavov noted that leading international organizations, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), are increasingly turning their attention to the fight against corruption. "We have room for cooperation in this area," Slavov added. 

Glavchev said that the BNAO has set up its own Unit for Combating Corruption, Bribery and Money Laundering, and there is a special section on the institution's website where citizens can report violations. At their discretion, they are sent for investigation to the Public Financial Inspection Agency (PFIA), the prosecution service or other authorities. Last year, 68 alerts were received, of which 22 were addressed to municipal authorities and state institutions, with the main addressee being the PFIA.

In 2023, the BNAO was accepted as a member of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) Working Group on the Fight Against Corruption and Money Laundering, which opened new opportunities for the introduction of international experience and audit techniques in the field of corruption prevention and counteraction. Checks for corruption and misconduct are also part of routine audit work. The disclosure of audit reports is also a mechanism to enhance public understanding of corruption according to the international standards by which the BNAO works. "In this regard, we have cooperation agreements with a number of institutions such as the Counter-Corruption Commission, the Public Financial Inspection Agency, the Public Procurement Agency, etc. I am confident that the work with Transparency International Bulgaria will also benefit society," BNAO President said. 

The meeting was also attended by Kremena Chobanova, Deputy Executive Director of Transparency International Bulgaria, Rosena Gadzeva, Director of the Performance Audits Directorate, and Malina Simeonova, head of a unit at the Specific Audits Directorate.