King Mohammed stresses importance of audit institutions in consolidating rule of law

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has stressed the paramount importance of audit institutions, given the role they play in rationalizing public money spending, improving public affairs management and moralizing public service.

This came in a message the sovereign sent Tuesday to the opening session of the 7th general assembly of the Arab organization of supreme audit institutions (ARABOSAI) convening in Rabat.

In the message that was read out by advisor to the King, Abdelaziz meziane Belfqih, the king also underlined these institutions role in "consolidating the rule of the law, enlarging the scope of democracy, generalizing the principles of transparency and monitoring, serving the general interest and consolidating decentralization and devolution as modern implements of administrative management."

King Mohammed VI pointed out that since his accession to the throne (in July 1999) he has intensified efforts "to consecrate the principles of transparency, shield administrative action against any blunder or deviation and direct the officials' behavior towards the sound orientation, based on good morality, monitoring and dedication to the general interest."

The king urged the Moroccan audit institution "La Cour des Comptes" to make further efforts to contribute to moralizing public life, struggling against all forms of money squandering, improving the outcome of all services and assessing public projects. The Moroccan Constitution confers to La Cour Des Comptes new prerogatives enabling it to assist the parliament and the government and makes of it a constitutional institution, enjoying independence from the legislative and executive powers, the king said adding that the constitution also stipulates the setting up of regional audit institutions at the level of local communities.

King Mohammed also hailed the resolved efforts made by ARABOSAI in matters of training and scientific research and its contribution to promote Arab audit institutions and help them fulfil their mission.

The opening session of the ARABOSAI general assembly was chaired by Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi.