President Nikos Christodoulides and new Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou have agreed that the Audit Office needs to be modernised, the latter told journalists at the Presidential Palace after he was sworn in, on Wednesday morning.  

Welcoming Papaconstantinou, President Christodoulides spoke of the need to enhance and make the most of the state's powers, at home and abroad. At home, he noted, one of the government's key goals is enhancing the rule of law and accountability, in line with the Constitution. 

He said his decision to appoint Papaconstantinou was reached "taking into account your experience both in the private and the public sector, with a path that proves in practice rather than words what you can do." 

"I am absolutely certain that you will be able to undertake the very difficult duties of the Auditor General, making the most of the capable staff of the Audit Service," he noted.

At the same time, President Christodoulides said, we must work to modernise the state of 1960 in order for it to be more effective today. Apart from enhancing the rule of law, he added, a second key goal is for the Audit Service to be able to operate more effectively.  

"We are all accountable to the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus and the Cypriot people. No one is beyond the Audit Office's control and I urge you to be strict with everyone, starting with the executive power, starting with the Republic's Presidency," he said. 

On his part, Papaconstantinou thanked the President for the trust he showed in him but also because his appointment had "not hidden agendas", adding that "this was why I accepted."

"I believe that the Audit Service should remain independent, have access to data and have a strong voice," he said, adding that "I am certain that we will have you by our side in this effort."

He also said, among other things, that the work carried out so far was achieved with great effort and thanked his predecessor who, as he noted, met with him with great willingness and made every effort to facilitate him. 

In statements afterwards, Papaconstantinou said that the President and I "agreed that the Audit Service should be modernised so that we can help our colleagues to do their job properly."

Asked what he meant that when he said there was no "hidden agenda", he replied that the President simply told me that he was considering me as the right person to take over this position. He attached no other conditions as regards my appointment."