Vladimir Cisar Appointed Head of Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute

Bratislava, May 12 (TASR) - Former expert at the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg Vladimir Cisar has been appointed head of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU), replacing acting director Ivana Herkel, who will return to her previous role as an economist, TASR has learnt from the ministry's communications department. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National party/SNS nominee) also approved a €3-million budget increase for SHMU to extend its contract with the provider of aviation services in Slovakia, According to Taraba, SHMU deserves comprehensive development, from technical equipment and modern information technologies to the modernisation of its headquarters. "The prerequisite is implementing modern management, efficiency and the use of European funds, which we're able to direct into this renowned institution," stated Taraba. "The person I appointed on Monday is an undisputed expert. Every institution I take over I aim to professionalise and develop so that as many activities as possible will be carried out by the institution itself, rather than by various external companies. This also applies to SHMU," said Taraba. Cisar graduated from the Transport and Communications University in Zilina and worked at the European Court of Auditors from 2004 to 2012, focusing on financial and performance audits of EU funds. He later spent eight years in managerial roles at the Slovak Supreme Audit Office. lin/df