UNMIK/PR/ 1190 Wednesday, 26 May 2004
SRSG releases the External Audit Report of the Kosovo Consolidated Budget for the period of 1999 – 2000
PRISTINA - SRSG releases the External Audit Report of the Kosovo Consolidated Budget (KCB) and the Consolidated Responses document for the 15 months period ending 31 December 2000. Under the relevant UNMIK Regulation the SRSG is required to ensure that appropriate independent audit arrangements are established for the Kosovo Consolidated Budget. The 1999-2000 audit report was prepared by the Netherlands Court of Audit. The scope of the audit encompasses the audit of the financial management of the Kosovo Budget for a period of 15 months ended 31 December 2000. Main findings and recommendations of the report concentrate on the areas of banking and cash management, information and accounting systems, internal audit, administration of revenues and expenditures, municipalities, public enterprises as well as the financial statements. As reflected in the Consolidated Responses Document the Report makes 55 recommendations and in all key cases involving financial management responsibilities, the issues had been identified prior to the actual conduct of the audit and actions planned or already commenced. Most of the recommendations have been already implemented or being implemented, while the remainder is either being agreed for implementation or is considered for implementation as time and resources permit. The report has been distributed to the President of Kosovo, Prime Minister, other Ministers and representatives of the Government, President of the Assembly and Assembly Members, Municipalities, UNMIK institutions, Donor Agencies, Liaison Offices, press and other relevant organisations. As for the 2001 Audit Report of the KCB, the draft financial statements have been provided to the Netherlands Court Auditors, it is anticipated that the 2001 Audit Report and the relevant Consolidated Responses will be finalised in the coming months. With the successful establishment of the Office of the Auditor General, under UNMIK Regulation 2002/18, which operates independently from any UNMIK or Kosovar institutions, the overall management of the audit process with the Netherlands Court of
Audit for fiscal year 2002 and 2003 and onwards, is now undertaken by the Auditor General of Kosovo.