Common use of National Focal Point Clause in Contracts

National Focal Point. The National Focal Point (NFP) of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism is the Ministry of Finance. The National Focal Point has the overall responsibility for the management of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism’s activities in the Republic of Estonia in accordance with the Rules and Procedures, including overall responsibility for the use of funds, financial control and auditing. The functions of the NFP are divided between different departments of the Ministry: • the State Budget Department is responsible for programming; • the Foreign Financing Department is the co-ordinating, implementing and monitoring unit and contact partner of the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO); • the European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department are responsible for payments; • the Financial Control Department is responsible for financial control and auditing. The State Budget Department’s programming responsibilities are, among others, to: • call for, collect, identify and select proposals to be forwarded to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; • set up and negotiate priorities in Estonia; • prepare the programming framework; • review and adjust the programming framework, where necessary. The Foreign Financing Department’s co-ordination and implementation responsibilities are, among others, to: • enter into Grant Agreements with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approved proposals, and conclude an agreement with the Project Promoter; • ensure implementation and monitoring of projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; • ensure regular reporting to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) on the implementation of projects financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; • ensure a complete and sufficient audit path in all engaged institutions; • ensure information and publicity about available funds; • ensure that Project Promoters are fully committed and equipped to successfully implement projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; • store all documents relating to projects realised within the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. The Financial Control Department’s financial control and auditing responsibilities are, among others, to: • organise the auditing of the management and control systems of the administration and execute project audits on a sample basis, independently from the State Audit Office; • present to the FMO the annual audit plan once a year. The annual audit plan is based on the Strategic Audit Plan and the results of risk assessment. The annual audit plan indicates the areas or objects subject to auditing; • compile and submit to the FMO a report summarising the outcome of audits conducted over the reporting period, in particular any irregularities detected; • report found and suspected cases of fraud and irregularity as well as all measures related thereto, taken by competent authorities, to the FMO without delay. The European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department jointly function as the Paying Authority. Their payment responsibilities are, among others, to: • receive requests for disbursements from Programme, Block Grant and Seed Money Intermediaries, or final beneficiaries, where appropriate; • check requests and verify the authenticity and correctness of submitted documents; • verify the co-financing amounts allocated to projects; • submit requests for disbursements to the FMO. Accompany requests with all the necessary documentary evidence demonstrating fulfilment of the conditions for each disbursement; • receive funds from the FMO (from its designated Disbursement Agent); • ensure pre-financing of projects from the state budget in case of need; • maintain necessary documentation and audit trail of payments; • hold a register of irregularities related to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; • reimburse unduly paid amounts to the FMO; • hold a bank account to which the funds will be allocated by the Disbursement Agent; • manage the bank account and make the necessary transactions via an electronic payment system; • conduct accounting on all financial transactions realised.

National Focal Point. The Planning Bureau fulfils the tasks of the National Focal Point (NFP) of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism is the Ministry of Finance). The National Focal Point NFP has the overall responsibility for the management and coordination of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism’s Mechanisms’ activities in the Republic of Estonia Cyprus as described in accordance with this MoU and the Rules and Procedures, including the overall responsibility for the use of funds, financial control and auditingaudit. The functions of Additionally, its responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the NFP are divided between different departments of the Ministry: • the State Budget Department is responsible for programming; • the Foreign Financing Department is the co-ordinating, implementing and monitoring unit and contact partner of the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO); • the European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department are responsible for payments; • the Financial Control Department is responsible for financial control and auditing. The State Budget Department’s programming responsibilities are, among others, tofollowing: • call for, collectidentify, identify and select proposals to be forwarded to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; Mechanism Office (FMO) • set up and negotiate priorities in Estonia; • prepare the programming framework; • review and adjust the programming framework, where necessary. The Foreign Financing Department’s co-ordination and implementation responsibilities are, among others, to: • enter into Grant Agreements with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approved proposals, and conclude an agreement with the Project Promoter; • ensure coordinate implementation and monitoring of projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; assistance • ensure regular reporting to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) FMO on the implementation of projects financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; , as well as immediate reporting on any irregularities • ensure a complete and sufficient audit path in all engaged institutions; organise annual meetings with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs • ensure information and publicity about available funds; funds and inform the general public about projects implemented under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism • ensure that Project Promoters project promoters are fully committed and equipped to successfully implement individual projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; assistance • store ensure storing of all documents relating to connected with projects realised within the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. The Financial Control Department’s Mechanism In accordance with the Rules and Procedures, the NFP will ensure that financial control and auditing responsibilities areof projects is conducted in compliance with applicable rules. In doing so, among others, tothe NFP shall in particular ensure: • organise the efficient and correct use of available funds • complete and sufficient audit trails in all institutions • effective financial control and audits of approved projects These tasks shall be performed as described below. The Internal Audit Service carries out auditing of the management and control systems of the administration and execute project audits on a sample basis, independently approved projects financed from the State Audit Office; • present to the FMO the annual audit plan once a year. The annual audit plan is based on the Strategic Audit Plan and the results of risk assessment. The annual audit plan indicates the areas or objects subject to auditing; • compile and submit to the FMO a report summarising the outcome of audits conducted over the reporting period, in particular any irregularities detected; • report found and suspected cases of fraud and irregularity Norwegian Financial Mechanism as well as all measures spot checks. The Internal Audit Service ensures on the basis of risk analysis that the projects are audited to an adequate extent. The objective of the activities of the Internal Audit Service is to ascertain that actions carried out are lawful, correct, economical and efficient. The Internal Audit Service is independent from the NFP. The audit of the Internal Audit Service is independent and separate from the audit of the Audit Office of the Republic of Cyprus, which has the right to conduct its own audit. The NFP has, in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Rules and Procedures, a duty to provide the Financial Mechanism Office with copies of any report that is made by the Internal Audit Service, the Audit Office, or any other entity, about the projects or other activities related thereto, taken by competent authorities, to the FMO without delayNorwegian Financial Mechanism. Among duties of the Internal Audit Service in relation to this Financial Mechanism are: • organising and carrying out of sample audits • carrying out audits of management systems as well as projects and programmes • submitting information on irregularities identified to the NFP and the Paying Authority • providing the NFP with other necessary information related to financial control and audit The European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department jointly function of the Republic of Cyprus will be designated as the Paying Authority, managing all operations related to financial transactions. Their payment responsibilities The Treasury will be entrusted with the task of developing, implementing and maintaining the procedures concerning financial management and control. Among duties to be performed by the Paying Authority are, among others, to: • receive requests open a bank account with the Central Bank of the Republic of Cyprus for disbursements the transfer of funds from Programme, Block Grant and Seed Money Intermediaries, or final beneficiaries, where appropriate; the Norwegian Financial Mechanism to the Republic of Cyprus • ensure payments to promoters/intermediaries of the amounts due through normal national budget procedures • check payment claims requests submitted by promoters/intermediaries and verify and certify to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism the authenticity and correctness of submitted documents; documents • verify request the co-financing amounts allocated transfer of funds from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism to projects; • the designated bank account on the basis of relevant documentation summarising information on actual expenditures incurred during project implementation or, if appropriate, submit requests for disbursements to the FMO. Accompany requests with all the necessary documentary evidence demonstrating fulfilment of the conditions for each disbursement; • receive funds from the FMO (from its designated Disbursement Agent); advance payments • ensure pre-financing reimbursement of projects from the state budget in case of need; • maintain necessary documentation and audit trail of payments; • hold a register of irregularities related unused or unduly paid funds to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; Mechanism • reimburse unduly paid amounts to the FMO; • hold a bank account to which the funds will be allocated by the Disbursement Agent; • manage the bank account and make the necessary transactions via an electronic payment system; • conduct accounting keep accounts on all financial transactions realisedrealised in the designated bank account • keep originals of relevant documents for 10 years after completion of projects The NFP remains responsible towards the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the correct implementation of the disbursements system.

National Focal Point. The National Focal Point (NFP) of the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism is the Ministry of Finance. The National Focal Point has the overall responsibility for the management of the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism’s activities in the Republic of Estonia in accordance with the Rules and Procedures, including overall responsibility for the use of funds, financial control and auditing. The functions of the NFP are divided between different departments of the Ministry: • the State Budget Department is responsible for programming; • the Foreign Financing Department is the co-ordinating, implementing and monitoring unit and contact partner of the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO); • the European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department are responsible for payments; • the Financial Control Department is responsible for financial control and auditing. The State Budget Department’s programming responsibilities are, among others, to: • call for, collect, identify identify, and select proposals to be forwarded to the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism; • set up and negotiate priorities in Estonia; • prepare the programming framework; • review and adjust the programming framework, where necessary. The Foreign Financing Department’s co-ordination and implementation responsibilities are, among others, to: • enter into Grant Agreements with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Financial Mechanism Committee for approved proposals, and conclude an agreement with the Project Promoter; • ensure implementation and monitoring of projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; • ensure regular reporting to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) on the implementation of projects financed by the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism; • ensure a complete and sufficient audit path in all engaged institutions; • ensure information and publicity about available funds; • ensure that Project Promoters are fully committed and equipped to successfully implement projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; • store all documents relating to projects realised within the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism. The Financial Control Department’s financial control and auditing responsibilities are, among others, to: • organise the auditing of the management and control systems of the administration and execute project audits on a sample basis, independently from the State Audit Office; • present to the FMO the annual audit plan once a year. The annual audit plan is based on the Strategic Audit Plan and the results of risk assessment. The annual audit plan indicates the areas or objects subject to auditing; • compile and submit to the FMO a report summarising the outcome of audits conducted over the reporting period, in particular any irregularities detected; • report found and suspected cases of fraud and irregularity as well as all measures related thereto, taken by competent authorities, to the FMO without delay. The European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department jointly function as the Paying Authority. Their payment responsibilities are, among others, to: • receive requests for disbursements from Programme, Block Grant and Seed Money Intermediaries, or final beneficiaries, where appropriate; • check requests and verify the authenticity and correctness of submitted documents; • verify the co-financing amounts allocated to projects; • submit requests for disbursements to the FMO. Accompany requests with all the necessary documentary evidence demonstrating fulfilment of the conditions for each disbursement; • receive funds from the FMO (from its designated Disbursement Agent); • ensure pre-financing of projects from the state budget in case of need; • maintain necessary documentation and audit trail of payments; • hold a register of irregularities related to the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism; • reimburse unduly paid amounts to the FMO; • hold a bank account to which the funds will be allocated by the Disbursement Agent; • manage the bank account and make the necessary transactions via an electronic payment system; • conduct accounting on all financial transactions realised.

National Focal Point. The Ministry of Finance performs the function of National Focal Point (NFP) of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism is the Ministry of Finance). The National Focal Point NFP has the overall responsibility for the management of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism’s activities in the Republic of Estonia Latvia, as described in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Rules and ProceduresProcedures adopted by the Financial Mechanism Committee, including overall responsibility for the use of funds, financial control and auditingaudit. The functions In particular, its responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: - ensure adoption of the NFP are divided between different departments of necessary national legal documents on the Ministry: • the State Budget Department is responsible for programming; • the Foreign Financing Department is the co-ordinating, implementing implementation and monitoring unit of projects; - ensure appropriate management and contact partner implementation of realised projects; - collect project proposals and submit them with its reasoned opinion to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO); • - chair the European Union Payments Department Monitoring Committee and State Treasury Department are responsible for paymentsthe Steering Committee; • the Financial Control Department is responsible for financial control - ensure efficient and auditing. The State Budget Department’s programming responsibilities are, among others, to: • call for, collect, identify and select proposals to be forwarded to the Norwegian Financial Mechanismcorrect use of available funds; • set up and negotiate priorities in Estonia; • prepare the programming framework; • review and adjust the programming framework, where necessary. The Foreign Financing Department’s co-ordination and implementation responsibilities are, among others, to: • enter into Grant Agreements with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approved proposals, and conclude an agreement with the Project Promoter; • - ensure implementation and monitoring of projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; • ensure regular reporting to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) on the implementation of projects financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; • ensure a complete and sufficient audit path in all engaged institutions; • - ensure information and publicity about available funds; • - ensure that Project Promoters regular reporting to the FMO on implementation of projects financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism,1 as well as to immediately report any irregularities; - store all documents relating to projects realized within the Financial Mechanism. The role of the NFP is to be further elaborated in the Grant Agreements between the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the Beneficiary State. Certain tasks of the NFP are fully committed entrusted (in form of agreement) with the Central Finance and equipped Contracting Agency (CFCA). The CFCA is a state agency under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. Its main functions are to: - conclude agreements with the beneficiaries on project implementation; 1 Latvia will describe the monitoring and reporting system in more detail when relevant guidelines have been finalised by the Financial Mechanism. - supervise and control the implementation of projects in accordance with the agreements concluded with the beneficiaries and carry out the necessary controls; - check requests for reimbursement and verify the authenticity and correctness of submitted documents; - prepare expenditure declarations and submit them to successfully implement the Paying Authority (the Treasury); - report to the NFP on progress of implementation of projects, programmes ; - detect irregularities and other specific forms of grant assistancereport them to the NFP; • - store all documents relating to projects realised within the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. The Financial Control Department’s financial control and auditing responsibilities are, among others, to: • organise the auditing of the management and control systems of the administration and execute project audits on a sample basis, independently from the State Audit Office; • present to the FMO the annual audit plan once a year. The annual audit plan is based on the Strategic Audit Plan and the results of risk assessment. The annual audit plan indicates the areas or objects subject to auditing; • compile and submit to the FMO a report summarising the outcome of audits conducted over the reporting period, in particular any irregularities detected; • report found and suspected cases of fraud and irregularity as well as all measures related thereto, taken by competent authorities, to the FMO without delay. The European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department jointly function as the Paying Authority. Their payment responsibilities are, among others, to: • receive requests for disbursements from Programme, Block Grant and Seed Money Intermediaries, or final beneficiaries, where appropriate; • check requests and verify the authenticity and correctness of submitted documents; • verify the co-financing amounts allocated to projects; • submit requests for disbursements to the FMO. Accompany requests with all the necessary documentary evidence demonstrating fulfilment of the conditions for each disbursement; • receive funds from the FMO (from its designated Disbursement Agent); • ensure pre-financing of projects from the state budget in case of need; • maintain necessary documentation and audit trail of payments; • hold a register of irregularities related to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; • reimburse unduly paid amounts to the FMO; • hold a bank account to which the funds will be allocated by the Disbursement Agent; • manage the bank account and make the necessary transactions via an electronic payment system; • conduct accounting on all financial transactions realised.

National Focal Point. The Ministry of Finance performs the function of National Focal Point (NFP) of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism is the Ministry of Finance). The National Focal Point NFP has the overall responsibility for the management of the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism’s activities in the Republic of Estonia Latvia, as described in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Rules and ProceduresProcedures adopted by the Financial Mechanism Committee, including overall responsibility for the use of funds, financial control and auditingaudit. The functions In particular, its responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: - ensure adoption of the NFP are divided between different departments of necessary national legal documents on the Ministry: • the State Budget Department is responsible for programming; • the Foreign Financing Department is the co-ordinating, implementing implementation and monitoring unit of projects; - ensure appropriate management and contact partner implementation of realised projects; - collect project proposals and submit them with its reasoned opinion to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO); • - chair the European Union Payments Department Monitoring Committee and State Treasury Department are responsible for paymentsthe Steering Committee; • the Financial Control Department is responsible for financial control - ensure efficient and auditing. The State Budget Department’s programming responsibilities are, among others, to: • call for, collect, identify and select proposals to be forwarded to the Norwegian Financial Mechanismcorrect use of available funds; • set up and negotiate priorities in Estonia; • prepare the programming framework; • review and adjust the programming framework, where necessary. The Foreign Financing Department’s co-ordination and implementation responsibilities are, among others, to: • enter into Grant Agreements with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approved proposals, and conclude an agreement with the Project Promoter; • - ensure implementation and monitoring of projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; • ensure regular reporting to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) on the implementation of projects financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; • ensure a complete and sufficient audit path in all engaged institutions; • - ensure information and publicity about available funds; • - ensure that Project Promoters are fully committed and equipped regular reporting to successfully implement projects, programmes and other specific forms the FMO on implementation of grant assistanceprojects financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism,1 as well as to immediately report any irregularities; • - store all documents relating to projects realised realized within the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. The role of the NFP is to be further elaborated in the Grant Agreements between the EEA Financial Control Department’s financial control Mechanism and auditing responsibilities are, among others, the Beneficiary State. Certain tasks of the NFP are entrusted (in form of agreement) with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFCA). The CFCA is a state agency under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. Its main functions are to: • organise - conclude agreements with the auditing of beneficiaries on project implementation; 1 Latvia will describe the management monitoring and reporting system in more detail when relevant guidelines have been finalised by the Financial Mechanism. - supervise and control systems the implementation of projects in accordance with the administration agreements concluded with the beneficiaries and execute project audits on a sample basis, independently from carry out the State Audit Officenecessary controls; • present to the FMO the annual audit plan once a year. The annual audit plan is based on the Strategic Audit Plan and the results of risk assessment. The annual audit plan indicates the areas or objects subject to auditing; • compile and submit to the FMO a report summarising the outcome of audits conducted over the reporting period, in particular any irregularities detected; • report found and suspected cases of fraud and irregularity as well as all measures related thereto, taken by competent authorities, to the FMO without delay. The European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department jointly function as the Paying Authority. Their payment responsibilities are, among others, to: • receive - check requests for disbursements from Programme, Block Grant and Seed Money Intermediaries, or final beneficiaries, where appropriate; • check requests reimbursement and verify the authenticity and correctness of submitted documents; • verify - prepare expenditure declarations and submit them to the co-financing amounts allocated Paying Authority (the Treasury); - report to the NFP on progress of implementation of projects; • submit requests for disbursements - detect irregularities and report them to the NFP; - store all documents relating to projects realised within the EEA Financial Mechanism. The NFP will carry out continuous auditing of approved projects as well as spot checks and report to the FMO. Accompany requests with all The Supreme Audit Institution of Latvia (the necessary documentary evidence demonstrating fulfilment State Audit Office) has the right to carry out audits of projects. According to the conditions for each disbursement; • receive funds national legislation, the State Audit Office shall examine utilisation of resources from the FMO (from its designated Disbursement Agent); • ensure pre-financing of projects from European Union and other international organisations or institutions that have been included in the state budget in case or local government budgets. The objective of need; • maintain necessary documentation the activities of the State Audit Office is to ascertain that actions carried out with the above mentioned resources are lawful, correct, economical and audit trail efficient. The State Audit Office is sufficiently independent of payments; • hold a register the NFP and the Paying Authority. The NFP has the duty to provide the FMO with copies of irregularities any report that is made by the State Audit Office about projects or other activities related to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; • reimburse unduly paid amounts to the FMO; • hold a bank account to which the funds will be allocated by the Disbursement Agent; • manage the bank account and make the necessary transactions via an electronic payment system; • conduct accounting on all financial transactions realised.

National Focal Point. The Planning Bureau fulfils the tasks of the National Focal Point (NFP) of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism is the Ministry of Finance). The National Focal Point NFP has the overall responsibility for the management and coordination of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism’s Mechanisms’ activities in the Republic of Estonia Cyprus as described in accordance with this MoU and the Rules and Procedures, including the overall responsibility for the use of funds, financial control and auditingaudit. The functions of Additionally, its responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the NFP are divided between different departments of the Ministry: • the State Budget Department is responsible for programming; • the Foreign Financing Department is the co-ordinating, implementing and monitoring unit and contact partner of the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO); • the European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department are responsible for payments; • the Financial Control Department is responsible for financial control and auditing. The State Budget Department’s programming responsibilities are, among others, tofollowing: • call for, collectidentify, identify and select proposals to be forwarded to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; Mechanism Office (FMO) • set up and negotiate priorities in Estonia; • prepare the programming framework; • review and adjust the programming framework, where necessary. The Foreign Financing Department’s co-ordination and implementation responsibilities are, among others, to: • enter into Grant Agreements with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approved proposals, and conclude an agreement with the Project Promoter; • ensure coordinate implementation and monitoring of projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; assistance • ensure regular reporting to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) FMO on the implementation of projects financed by the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism; , as well as immediate reporting on any irregularities • ensure a complete and sufficient audit path in all engaged institutions; organise annual meetings with the Financial Mechanism Committee • ensure information and publicity about available funds; funds and inform the general public about projects implemented under the EEA Financial Mechanism • ensure that Project Promoters project promoters are fully committed and equipped to successfully implement individual projects, programmes and other specific forms of grant assistance; assistance • store ensure storing of all documents relating to connected with projects realised within the Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism. The Financial Control Department’s Mechanism In accordance with the Rules and Procedures, the NFP will ensure that financial control and auditing responsibilities areof projects is conducted in compliance with applicable rules. In doing so, among others, tothe NFP shall in particular ensure: • organise the efficient and correct use of available funds • complete and sufficient audit trails in all institutions • effective financial control and audits of approved projects These tasks shall be performed as described below. The Internal Audit Service carries out auditing of the management and control systems of the administration and execute project audits on a sample basis, independently approved projects financed from the State Audit Office; • present to the FMO the annual audit plan once a year. The annual audit plan is based on the Strategic Audit Plan and the results of risk assessment. The annual audit plan indicates the areas or objects subject to auditing; • compile and submit to the FMO a report summarising the outcome of audits conducted over the reporting period, in particular any irregularities detected; • report found and suspected cases of fraud and irregularity EEA Financial Mechanism as well as all measures spot checks. The Internal Audit Service ensures on the basis of risk analysis that the projects are audited to an adequate extent. The objective of the activities of the Internal Audit Service is to ascertain that actions carried out are lawful, correct, economical and efficient. The Internal Audit Service is independent from the NFP. The audit of the Internal Audit Service is independent and separate from the audit of the Audit Office of the Republic of Cyprus, which has the right to conduct its own audit. The NFP has, in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Rules and Procedures, a duty to provide the Financial Mechanism Office with copies of any report that is made by the Internal Audit Service, the Audit Office, or any other entity, about the projects or other activities related thereto, taken by competent authorities, to the FMO without delayEEA Financial Mechanism. Among duties of the Internal Audit Service in relation to this Financial Mechanism are: • organising and carrying out of sample audits • carrying out audits of management systems as well as projects and programmes • submitting information on irregularities identified to the NFP and the Paying Authority • providing the NFP with other necessary information related to financial control and audit The European Union Payments Department and State Treasury Department jointly function of the Republic of Cyprus will be designated as the Paying Authority, managing all operations related to financial transactions. Their payment responsibilities The Treasury will be entrusted with the task of developing, implementing and maintaining the procedures concerning financial management and control. Among duties to be performed by the Paying Authority are, among others, to: • receive requests open a bank account with the Central Bank of the Republic of Cyprus for disbursements the transfer of funds from Programme, Block Grant and Seed Money Intermediaries, or final beneficiaries, where appropriate; the EEA Financial Mechanism to the Republic of Cyprus • ensure payments to promoters/intermediaries of the amounts due through normal national budget procedures • check payment claims requests submitted by promoters/intermediaries and verify and certify to the EEA Financial Mechanism the authenticity and correctness of submitted documents; documents • verify request the co-financing amounts allocated transfer of funds from the EEA Financial Mechanism to projects; • the designated bank account on the basis of relevant documentation summarising information on actual expenditures incurred during project implementation or, if appropriate, submit requests for disbursements advance payments • ensure reimbursement of unused or unduly paid funds to the FMO. Accompany requests with all the necessary documentary evidence demonstrating fulfilment of the conditions for each disbursement; EEA Financial Mechanism • receive funds from the FMO (from its designated Disbursement Agent); • ensure pre-financing of projects from the state budget in case of need; • maintain necessary documentation and audit trail of payments; • hold a register of irregularities related to the Norwegian Financial Mechanism; • reimburse unduly paid amounts to the FMO; • hold a bank account to which the funds will be allocated by the Disbursement Agent; • manage the bank account and make the necessary transactions via an electronic payment system; • conduct accounting keep accounts on all financial transactions realisedrealised in the designated bank account • keep originals of relevant documents for 10 years after completion of projects The NFP remains responsible towards the EEA Financial Mechanism for the correct implementation of the disbursements system.