Cabinet: Officials Must Be Able to Justify Attending Events on Free Invitations

Latvia's government, the Cabinet of Ministers, is preparing a reply to the Prosecutor General's Office on how state institutions handle free tickets, invitations and accreditations for events received by officials. In the draft reply, the Cabinet agrees that these systems need to be reviewed and stresses that officials must be able to justify attending such events.

Findings of the prosecutors

Following an inspection, the Prosecutor General's Office pointed in a letter dated 14 September to systemic shortcomings in the internal control systems of public administration bodies. These concern the receipt, registration and use of free tickets, invitations and accreditations. The prosecutors suggested that ministries and other institutions subordinate to the Cabinet review these systems and improve them where necessary. In the draft reply, the Cabinet recognises this proposal as justified.

View of KNAB

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) also backs the approach. In its view, the identified shortcomings are not linked to insufficient external legislation. KNAB believes each institution should set a procedure suited to its own situation for receiving, registering, assessing, recording and using free tickets, invitations and accreditations.

An invitation alone does not justify attendance

The document stresses that receiving an invitation does not in itself establish a link between an event and the performance of official duties. In each case, the purpose of using the invitation, its connection to the duties of the official or employee, and possible risks of corruption and conflict of interest must be assessed. If an invitation is intended for several people, the justification for the accompanying person's participation must also be assessed.