(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Nov 26 (KUNA) -- The cabinet held its weekly meeting at Seif Palace Monday afternoon under the chairmanship of His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
After the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh released the following statement.
During the meeting, the cabinet was briefed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Hamad Al-Sabah, during which he reviewed the recent visit by Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides and discussion focused on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest in addition to signing bilateral agreements, like the "open skies" agreement with Cyprus.
In light of the government's keenness and interest in preserving public funds and supporting efforts to promote integrity and fighting corruption, and based on guidelines by His Highness the Prime Minister and his invitation to the acting President of Audit bureau Adel Al-Sarawi to attend the cabinet meeting and to discuss Diwan reports.
The cabinet was briefed during a detailed presentation by Al-Sarawi, and Audit members regarding their observations of the Audit Bureau on the results of examination and review on the implementation of final budgets to ministries and government departments and their final accounts for the fiscal year 2017/2018.
Such implementation reviewed the capital and construction projects, infringements on state property, accounts of current financial assets (the covenant), debts owed to the state, production capacity of crude oil and free gas, final account of the state financial management, renewed strategies and regulations, and investment.
The cabinet was also briefed on Audit Bureau proposals and on ways to increase the efficiency of financial work among government agencies and to avoid observations by the Bureau, in order to achieve the goals set by the government to strengthen integrity, transparency and the fight against corruption.
Al-Sarawi praised positive initiative taken by the cabinet to invite him and members to attend the meeting, and enabling the Bureau the opportunity to explain in details their observations in various reports.
Audi Bureau chief also praised the premier for his support and cooperation among government bodies, including investigations and referrals to the Anti-Corruption Authority based on these observations made by the Bureau.
During the meeting, the ministers also expressed their views and suggestions, which aimed at strengthening oversight role of the Bureau and supporting cooperation between Audit Bureau and various governmental bodies in order to achieve the desired goals.
The cabinet praised such positive meeting and the constructive discussion, which was honest, and clear, stressing its support for the Bureau's role and its efforts to preserve capital and confront corruption.
In view of the cabinet's interest in these recommendations made by the Bureau, the cabinet decided to mandate its specialized committees to find practical ways to implement them and achieve national goals.
Later, the cabinet reviewed the political affairs developments in the region, at the Arab and international levels.
In this regard, the cabinet congratulated the Kingdom of Bahrain for the success of the parliamentary and municipal elections, which took place in a transparent democratic atmosphere, which witnessed wide participation.
The cabinet also expressed deep concern and regret to reports on the earthquake that hit the Iraqi-Iranian border, including aftershocks, which was felt by residents in Kuwait.
The cabinet expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families by this earthquake, which targeted Iraq and Iran, asking Allah Almighty for a speedy recovery to all who were injured.
The Council of Ministers also expressed its sincere condolences and condolences to Iraq President Barham Saleh and the Iraqi people on the recent floods that have killed dozens of people and injured hundreds others.
The cabinet also condemned the terrorist attack, which targeted a market south of the Somali capital Mogadishu, and resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens, affirming Kuwait's stand, which rejects such acts of terrorism.
The cabinet strongly condemned the two terrorist bombings, which targeted a religious ceremony in Kabul and a mosque in eastern Afghanistan that killed and wounded many innocent people. (end) jy.mb
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