The FIIAPP defends its transparency and recognizes three contracts with the drone company in the 'Mediator' case

He points out that the GARSI-Sahel project has 22 audits and that the foundation collaborates with justice without being investigated

MADRID, 2 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The International and Ibero-American Foundation for Public Administration and Policies (FIIAPP) has defended its internal controls and "absolute transparency" with the Tenerife court investigating the 'Mediator' case, acknowledging that it awarded three contracts to the Asesoramiento y Servicio de Drones, SL (ASD SL), investigated in the case.

In a statement, collected by Europa Press, the public foundation chaired by the First Vice President of the Government, Nadia Calviño, has defended the European project GAR-SI Sahel of which the General of the Civil Guard was director from March 2017 to June 2021 Francisco Espinosa Navas, arrested and imprisoned for his relationship with the 'Mediator' plot.

"Our relationship with the Civil Guard is excellent in this and other cooperation projects in which we work together", indicated FIIAPP, noting that the GARSI-Sahel project - "a highly valued project abroad" - has been submitted to 22 audits, pointing out that as a foundation "it is not being investigated and that it is cooperating with justice at all times."

In relation to the awarding of contracts to the company Asesoramiento y Servicio de Drones SL (ASD SL), investigated in the case, the FIIAPP indicates that this company has been awarded three public tenders tendered in batches for the supply of drones for the project GAR-SI Sahel, for a total value of 89,000 euros.

Additionally, this company was awarded a lot with a similar purpose within the framework of another project not related to GAR-SI Sahel, for a value of 174,000 euros. On the other hand, the company ASD SL has submitted to four additional tenders for drones/counterdrones of the FIIAPP in which it was not awarded.

Since 2017, the FIIAPP has contracted the purchase of drones for 1.3 million euros to 13 different companies. As regards the GAR-SI Sahel project, which trains local gendarmes in the fight against jihadism and organized crime, it has been subject to 22 external and independent audits since 2017, "which endorse the results and the management carried out". . This volume of audits is common in multi-year regional projects, says the foundation.

"The Foundation's procedures are robust and the commitment to transparency is absolute. We are carrying out an in-depth internal investigation to eliminate any trace of doubt and act accordingly," continues the FIIAPP, in line with what was stated by Vice President Calviño. The conclusions of said report will be provided to the court that is following the case.

FIIAPP is a public sector foundation that manages international cooperation projects through the exchange of knowledge and experiences between counterpart public administrations from different countries. It manages a portfolio of 120 projects a year, with an average annual execution of 67 million euros.

"We have robust procedures for the execution and reporting of the funds, as well as prevention and internal and external control measures, which have been implemented in a timely manner", indicated the FIIAPP, which also recalls that GAR-SI Sahel is a cooperation project led by Spain "highly valued abroad for its civil approach to security."

This project, implemented by the FIIAPP with the Civil Guard and in collaboration with other European security forces, aims to support their counterparts in Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad in the creation of Rapid Action Groups ( GAR) to fight terrorism, organized crime and other threats in the Sahel.

"Many European countries and the rest of the world are interested in our 'expertise' in the fight against terrorism. The Rapid Action Groups designed by the Civil Guard are a benchmark in this regard and are the model that this project tries to extrapolate to stabilize one hottest spots on the planet," he says of the Sahel.

To do this, they adapt to the environment of action, with implications not only for its population but also for European security. Since 2017, the project has managed to make 13 GAR-SI (Groupes d*Action Rapide de Surveillance et d*Intervention) units operational in the six intervention countries, tactically and strategically training 1,734 gendarmes to fight against jihadism and terrorism. organized crime.