The Ombudsman meets the Auditor General of Kosovo

The Ombudsman meets the Auditor General of Kosovo

Published February 26, 2026

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, met the Auditor General of Kosovo, Madam Vlora Spanca, who is in Malta for bilateral talks with the National Audit Office of Malta.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman referred to the strong relationship between the Office of the Ombudsman in Malta and the Ombudsman Institution of Kosovo. He noted that his Office will soon host officials from the Ombudsman Institution of Kosovo for a study visit in Malta.

The Ombudsman also referred to his visit to Kosovo last December, where he as Ombudsman of Malta and Vice President of the IOI European Regional Board addressed the 25th Anniversary Conference during the first plenary session entitled “Shifting priorities. Human rights in a changing world. Perspectives from human rights networks.” In his intervention, he observed that the post war human rights framework is increasingly being challenged by force, political expediency and indifference. He emphasised that international networks of ombudsman and human rights institutions play a critical role in defending those rendered vulnerable by conflict, displacement and injustice.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman also referred to the close collaboration between the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Audit Office of Malta.

He highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two constitutional Offices, which establishes a structured framework for cooperation aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and good governance across the public sector. The agreement provides for the exchange of relevant non personal information, collaboration on joint initiatives such as research and educational activities, coordination on policy and procedural improvements, and the sharing of matters of mutual international interest, while fully respecting professional independence and confidentiality.

Reference was also made to joint outreach initiatives, including the participation of Parliament, the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Audit Office in a shared stand during MCAST Freshers’ Week. This initiative reflected the common role of the three institutions, as officers of Parliament, in promoting accountability, public engagement and democratic governance.

During the meeting, Mr Charles Deguara, Auditor General of Malta, explained that the engagement provides an important opportunity for both Supreme Audit Institutions to strengthen institutional cooperation, exchange professional experience and explore avenues for future collaboration in public sector auditing. The programme of meetings focuses on key areas of mutual professional interest, including performance auditing methodologies, practical examples of good practice, leadership and institutional governance frameworks, communication strategies and approaches to monitoring the implementation of audit recommendations.