Hungarian Govt Wants To See EY Audit Results On Norway Funds

  • 30 Jun 2014 9:00 AM
Hungarian Govt Wants To See EY Audit Results On Norway Funds
The Hungarian government has asked the head of Ernst and Young in Hungary to make available the results of an audit on the distribution of Norway Funds in 2008-2010, the deputy state secretary for development policy communications said on Friday.

Nándor Csepreghy told a press conference that according to press reports, the Brussels-based Financial Mechanism Office which coordinates and oversees Norway Funds directed to Hungary had ordered an audit from Ernst and Young.

According to Csepreghy, the results of this audit have confirmed the Hungarian government’s objections, such as the lack of guarantees for the independence of assessment panels. If the press reports are confirmed, the Hungarian government will have no other choice but submit a criminal report about the alleged violations, Csepreghy said.

EY (formerly Ernst and Young) cannot disclose any information related to its clients in line with strict internal regulations and to protect business Weekly Heti Válasz published an article on Thursday stating that an audit by Ernst and Young backs concerns raised by the government over the distribution of funds from the Norway Civil Grant.

The article said the consortium that carries out the distribution (Ökotárs Foundation, Autonómia Foundation, Foundation for the Development of Democratic Rights and Kárpátok Foundation) is “extremely informally-networked” and that the Hungarian government was not the first one to raise its voice over this matter.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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