National Audit Office and STT join forces: cooperation agreement renewed

2026-02-26

[Link]Today, Auditor General Irena Segalovičienė and Director of the Special Investigation Service (STT) Linas Pernavas renewed the cooperation agreement, which aims to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation in defending the rights and property interests of the state and increasing public sector transparency.

Under the agreement, the institutions undertook to provide mutual assistance in conducting public audits, budget policy control, implementing the tasks set out in the law on the National Audit Office (NAO) and the law on STT, preventing corruption, detecting and investigating criminal acts of a corrupt nature, and identifying cases of bribery of foreign officials in international business transactions.

"This partnership is another safeguard for the transparent use of budget funds. Our auditors' observations and the STT's expert experience will enable us to identify possible acts of corruption more quickly. By exchanging information and expert assessments, methodological and other assistance, we can ensure that taxpayer money is used transparently and responsibly," says Auditor General Irena Segalovičienė.

Where necessary, the STT will consult the NAO auditors on the preliminary assessment of the circumstances identified during the audit and will also provide information on the progress and results of pre-trial investigations initiated on the basis of the NAO reports. The NAO undertakes to inform the STT about the results of its activities related to the STT's operations and to provide available information on any gaps in legal regulation or its practical application identified during its activities, if they may create or potentially create conditions for corruption.

The meeting also discussed the audit topics and defence issues included in the NAO's 2026 plan. Irena Segalovičienė pointed out that as the state strengthens its defence capabilities, historic defence funding requires responsible budget management and maximum transparency in ensuring planned acquisitions. Therefore, when conducting audits in this area and identifying potential corruption risks, the partnership between the National Audit Office and the STT becomes particularly important and necessary.