The Standing Audit Group, presided by the First Deputy Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, Paata Kvizhinadze convened an online meeting to hear the reports of 8 agencies for 2020 Financial Audits by the Deputy Head of Defense, Public Order and Security Audit Department at State Audit Office of Georgia, Giorgi Khitarishvili.

According to the rapporteur, 5 recommendations have been issued to the Ministry of Health, 10 recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 11 recommendations to the Ministry of Justice, 6 recommendations to the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, 16 recommendations to the Ministry of Defense, 7 recommendations to the Ministry of Education and Science, 8 to the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture and 10 to the State Security service.

Paata Kvizhinadze elucidated that, as a rule, the Group sees the report of one agency, but since the ministries often have similar errors in the financial statements and the remarks of the Audit Office are similar, it was decided to allow an exception.

"It is desirable for all of us to hear these reports, express our remarks and share them with each other. It is fundamentally important for us that the recommendations you agree with be shared and taken into account. The 33 recommendations issued to the agencies, which have already been discussed, have not been rectified. We will take this issue under control", - Paata Kvizhinadze remarked.

The 73 recommendations issued by the Audit Office were reviewed in four areas: asset management, requirements and liabilities, accounting and internal control mechanisms.

Relevant explanations were made on the results of the audit by the representatives of the agencies. The participants expressed their views on each of the recommendations.

"The main goal of our Group is not to discuss any agency in general. We will review the recommendations issued by the Audit Office. All over the world, especially in Europe, the Audit Office is the only body that studies the efficiency and adequacy of spending budget funds. According to the EUAA, all reports that are introduced by the Audit Office shall be discussed in the Parliament and we will fulfill this commitment", - P. Kvizhinadze stated.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Auditor General David Gogichaishvili, Head of the Social Audit Department Zaza Shekiladze, Head of the Economic Activities Audit Department at State Audit Office Tornike Shermadini, Deputy Head of Department, Defense, Public Order and Security Audit Department at State Audit Office of Georgia Giorgi Khitarishvili, Head of the Order and Security Audit Sophio Dvalishvili, Deputy Head of the Economic Activities Audit Department, Salome Saneblidze, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Butkhuzi, Deputy Minister of Justice Akaki Saghinashvili, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Mzia Giorgobiani, Deputy Minister of Health Giorgi Tsotskolauri, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Tamar Kitiashvili, Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture Giorgi Khanishvili, and First Deputy Head of the State Security Service Alex Batiashvili.

Paata Kvizhinadze, Head of the Audit Group, thanked the participants for their fruitful work.

The Standing Audit Group on State Audit Service Reports at Budget and Finance Committee will continue to hear the audit reports performed by the State Audit Office in various agencies and departments.