The President of the European Court of Auditors ( ECA) Mr. Vitor Manuel da Silva Caldeira is on a visit to Bulgaria

20.05.2008

The President of the European Court of Auditors ( ECA) Mr. Vitor Manuel da Silva Caldeira is on a visit to Bulgaria, 19-20 May, invited by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (NAO). The guest is accompanied by Ms. Nadejda Sandolova, Member of ECA and former Member of the Bulgarian NAO.

Mr. Vitor Caldeira had a meeting on Monday with Prof. Valery Dimitrov and Members of the NAO. Their discussion focused on the further development of the cooperation between the Bulgarian NAO and ECA and the sharing of experience.

The cooperation between the ECA and the national audit institutions of the EU Member States is a priority for ECA. We work at present on harmonizing the practice, methodology and approach in the auditing of EU funds, Mr. Caldeira said.

He emphasized the important role of the supreme audit institutions for helping ensure that internal control systems in respect of EU funds function properly.

The NAO organized meetings for Mr. Vitor Caldeira and Mrs. Nadejda Sandolova with the Prime Minister Serguei Stanishev, the Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly Lyuben Kornezov, and the Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski.

Mr. Caldeira was awarded the title “Honorary Professor” today by Prof. Dr. Borislav Borisov, rector of the University of National and World Economy. Mr. Caldeira presented the role and functions of the ECA to students, lecturers and representatives of institutions involved in EU funds management and control.

Mr. Caldeira was elected President of ECA on 16 January 2008 with a three years’ term of office. The visit to Bulgaria has been his third visit to a national audit institution of an EU Member State, since his appointment.