Estonia's outgoing auditor general lauds president's choice for his successor

Photo: Artur Sadovski / Postimees

Mihkel Oviir, whose second term as head of Estonia's National Audit Office expires at the beginning of next month, considers the president's candidate for the post, former rector of the University of Tartu Alar Karis, to be an exceptionally good choice.

Oviir said Karis is a candidate whom nobody can suspect of any party political bias and who, besides being a top scientist in his field, also has a remarkable experience of administration, having headed several universities including the University of Tartu.

"While I have been first of all a practitioner of administration in the field of justice, Alar Karis is both - a systematically thinking researcher and a practicing administrator. This experience has certainly stood him in good stead in the supervisory board of the Development Fund and the Rectors' Conference which he so far chairs," Oviir told BNSadding that Karis' research background is bound to introduce new elements into the agency's approach to auditing.

Oviir said the audit office began five years ago to pay more attention to forward-looking audits. "The president of the republic too emphasized in this year's anniversary speech that we need to look far ahead to choose the right way of action and ensure sustainable development of our country and nation. I'm certain that Alar Karis will continue developing such an open and forward-looking trend at the audit office," he said.

After leaving the National Audit Office Oviir intends to enjoy his retirement. "I intend in retirement to be first of all as good a grandfather as possible to my grandchildren. I want to do everything for which I haven't so far had time beside my job - renovate my house, work in my summer home and my garden. And I intend to bring up my fifth Caucasian shepherd dog."

Under the National Audit Office Act, the auditor general assumes office by taking an oath of office before parliament. As Oviir renewed his oath of office after his appointment for a second five-year term on April 7, 2008, his powers terminate at midnight on April 6.