### 11. notes that the final available appropriations , including the carry-over from the previous year , amount to eur 1 069.88 million in commitment appropriations and eur 764.83 million in payment appropriations; ### 11. welcomes that the final available appropriations , including the carry-over from the previous year , amount to eur 1 069.88 million in commitment appropriations and eur 764.83 million in payment appropriations;


### 14. notes that , following the 2020 discharge recommendation on the calculation method for the 2020 membership contributions , the joint undertaking has adopted corrective measures , in particular the approval of the draft single programming document , to avoid the issue brought up by the court happening again; ### 14. appreciates that , following the 2020 discharge recommendation on the calculation method for the 2020 membership contributions , the joint undertaking has adopted corrective measures , in particular the approval of the draft single programming document , to avoid the issue brought up by the court happening again;


### 16. notes that , as from january 2016 , joint undertakings that are only partly financed from the eu budget should pay the part of the employer’s contributions to the eu pension scheme , corresponding to the ratio of their non-eu subsidised revenues to their total revenues4 ; notes that , as the commission has neither provided for this expenditure in the joint undertakings’ budgets , nor formally requested the payments , the joint undertaking has not yet paid such contributions; ### 16. notes that , as from january 2016 , joint undertakings that are only partly financed from the eu budget should pay the part of the employer’s contributions to the eu pension scheme , corresponding to the ratio of their non-eu subsidised revenues to their total revenues4 ; is concerned that , as the commission has neither provided for this expenditure in the joint undertakings’ budgets , nor formally requested the payments , the joint undertaking has not yet paid such contributions;


### 17. notes in this regard that , in line with the commission’s guidance to the joint undertakings , the commission’s office for administration and payment of individual entitlements should calculate the employer contribution for each joint undertaking as a percentage of the non-eu revenue related to the total revenue of the joint undertaking , including non-eu revenue for operational expenditure; notes that , for iter this percentage share was set at 21.6 % for the period 2017-2020 or around €5.8 million , and at 19.8 % for the year 2021 or around €1.5 million; notes , in addition , that this guidance only takes account of the respective provisions of the staff regulations in determining the calculation method for the joint undertakings’ payments of employer contributions to the eu budget based on revenue; ### 17. calls in this regard that , in line with the commission’s guidance to the joint undertakings , on the commission’s office for administration and payment of individual entitlements to calculate the employer contribution for each joint undertaking as a percentage of the non-eu revenue related to the total revenue of the joint undertaking , including non-eu revenue for operational expenditure; notes that , for iter this percentage share was set at 21.6 % for the period 2017-2020 or around €5.8 million , and at 19.8 % for the year 2021 or around €1.5 million; underlines , in addition , that this guidance only takes account of the respective provisions of the staff regulations in determining the calculation method for the joint undertakings’ payments of employer contributions to the eu budget based on revenue;


### 18. notes , however , that the respective provisions of the joint undertaking’s statutes require that the total amount of membership contributions shall not exceed 10 % of the joint undertaking’s annual administrative costs , suggesting an employer contribution of around €740 013 per year for the joint undertaking (based on 2021 figures); notes , therefore , that the concurrence of these different legal provisions risks the elaboration of diverse interpretations regarding the calculation of the joint undertaking’s employer contribution , with varying financial impact; ### 18. is aware , however , that the respective provisions of the joint undertaking’s statutes require that the total amount of membership contributions shall not exceed 10 % of the joint undertaking’s annual administrative costs , suggesting an employer contribution of around €740 013 per year for the joint undertaking (based on 2021 figures); is , therefore , concerned that the concurrence of these different legal provisions risks the elaboration of diverse interpretations regarding the calculation of the joint undertaking’s employer contribution , with varying financial impact and expects that this legal uncertainty is clarified wihout any delay;


### 20. notes that , during 2021 , the joint undertaking has further progressed in the work and continued the delivery of some of the major components to iter in order to start the assembly activities according to plan for the achievement of first plasma at the end of 2025; notes that the iter organisation is currently re-planning the first plasma baseline , the outcome of which is expected to be decided by iter council in 2022 and that the joint undertaking will subsequently adjust its planning accordingly; ### 20. welcomes that , during 2021 , the joint undertaking has further progressed in the work and continued the delivery of some of the major components to iter in order to start the assembly activities according to plan for the achievement of first plasma at the end of 2025; notes that the iter organisation is currently re-planning the first plasma baseline , the outcome of which is expected to be decided by iter council in 2022 and that the joint undertaking will subsequently adjust its planning accordingly;


### 22. notes that during 2021 the covid 19 pandemic continued to have a significant impact on the joint undertaking supply chain , as many of the joint undertaking’s suppliers have been affected , with restrictions on work attendance and travel , and ongoing and future efficiency impacts due to enhanced sanitation measures required in most member states; notes that delays in some deliveries were up to 4 months , resulting in a “cost at completion” impact of eur 45 million (eur 57 million in 2020 - both in 2008 values): ### 22. notes that during 2021 the covid 19 pandemic continued to have a significant impact on the joint undertaking supply chain , as many of the joint undertaking’s suppliers have been affected , with restrictions on work attendance and travel , and ongoing and future efficiency impacts due to enhanced sanitation measures required in most member states; regrets that delays in some deliveries were up to 4 months , resulting in a “cost at completion” impact of eur 45 million (eur 57 million in 2020 - both in 2008 values):


### 25. notes that the implementation of the actions in the anti-fraud action plan is systematically monitored through a dedicated database (rapid) which details the scope of each action , the action owner and the target date for its implementation; notes , for 2021 , that good progress has been achieved as regards the implementation of anti-fraud actions; ### 25. welcomes that the implementation of the actions in the anti-fraud action plan is systematically monitored through a dedicated database (rapid) which details the scope of each action , the action owner and the target date for its implementation and that good progress has been achieved as regards the implementation of anti-fraud actions;


### 27. notes that rules , procedures , processes and best practices in ethics and prevention and management of conflicts of interest have been communicated to staff in 2021 , including via the joint undertaking manual with specific chapters on ethics & integrity and fraud prevention , a page on whistleblowing as well as a section on the prevention and management of conflicts of interest; ### 27. appreciates that rules , procedures , processes and best practices in ethics and prevention and management of conflicts of interest have been communicated to staff in 2021 , including via the joint undertaking manual with specific chapters on ethics & integrity and fraud prevention , a page on whistleblowing as well as a section on the prevention and management of conflicts of interest;


### 28. notes that , in november 2021 , the staff of the joint undertaking went on strike and that , according to internal and external management assessments and several internal surveys , the main reasons for the deterioration of the working environment at the joint undertaking were shortcomings at senior management level (e.g. , non-transparent and dysfunctional decision-taking and a lack of social dialogue); notes , furthermore , the disproportionate use of external staff resources increased challenges and risks for the working environment , which was confirmed by the joint undertaking’s staff representatives and their formal letters , sent to the responsible commissioners; notes that the commission (dg ener) in its reply to the letters , stated that the 2022 annual assessment of joint undertaking will exclusively focus on human resource management matters and has encouraged the joint undertaking in using a 360-degree management assessment for its management team; ### 28. regrets that , in november 2021 , the staff of the joint undertaking went on strike and that , according to internal and external management assessments and several internal surveys , the main reasons for the deterioration of the working environment at the joint undertaking were shortcomings at senior management level (e.g. , non-transparent and dysfunctional decision-taking and a lack of social dialogue); notes , furthermore , the disproportionate use of external staff resources increased challenges and risks for the working environment , which was confirmed by the joint undertaking’s staff representatives and their formal letters , sent to the responsible commissioners; notes that the commission (dg ener) in its reply to the letters , stated that the 2022 annual assessment of joint undertaking will exclusively focus on human resource management matters and has encouraged the joint undertaking in using a 360-degree management assessment for its management team;


### 29. notes that , in response to the situation , the joint undertaking launched several actions to improve the working environment and wellbeing of staff. those actions were integrated into a change agenda , targeting excessive workload , bad working atmosphere , and a lack of communication by the management on the planned organisational changes; ### 29. supports that , in response to the situation , the joint undertaking launched several actions to improve the working environment and wellbeing of staff. those actions were integrated into a change agenda , targeting excessive workload , bad working atmosphere , and a lack of communication by the management on the planned organisational changes;


### 34. notes that , during 2020 and 2021 , the joint undertaking was subject to the regular annual assessments by external experts and intensive internal audits covering most of its critical areas of its activities and that the implementation of the remedial actions in response to audits and assessments , in order to address the identified risks , resulted in an increase of the administrative burden , while it was not evident that the added controls were efficient and improved the system; ### 34. is aware that , during 2020 and 2021 , the joint undertaking was subject to the regular annual assessments by external experts and intensive internal audits covering most of its critical areas of its activities and that the implementation of the remedial actions in response to audits and assessments , in order to address the identified risks; regrets , however , that this resulted in an increase of the administrative burden , while it was not evident that the added controls were efficient and improved the system;


### 37. notes that , in the 2020’s caar , the joint undertaking concluded that all the components are operating together in an integrated manner; notes , however , that due to the fact that one component was found to have a critical deficiency (the issue occurred with the formalisation of legal commitments for operational expenditure in the joint undertaking’s contract management tool that was adapted for new contracts while remote working during the covid-19 pandemic) impacting the internal control system and included by the director as a reservation in his declaration of assurance , the joint undertaking management concluded that the overall internal control system was partially effective. ### 37. notes that , in the 2020’s caar , the joint undertaking concluded that all the components are operating together in an integrated manner; deplores , however , that due to the fact that one component was found to have a critical deficiency (the issue occurred with the formalisation of legal commitments for operational expenditure in the joint undertaking’s contract management tool that was adapted for new contracts while remote working during the covid-19 pandemic) impacting the internal control system and included by the director as a reservation in his declaration of assurance , the joint undertaking management concluded that the overall internal control system was partially effective.


### 5. notes that the institute implemented extensively its work programme in 2021 , although some delays occurred due to the late adoption of the mff and horizon europe regulations; notes that some priorities were postponed to 2022 (i.e. monitoring strategy , transition to egrants) due to the institute’s insufficient human resources; notes , among the institute’s main achievements in 2021 , the launch of its ‘hei initiative: innovation capacity building for higher education’ , which represents a key objective of the sia 2021-2027; ### 5. notes that the institute implemented extensively its work programme in 2021 , although some delays occurred due to the late adoption of the mff and horizon europe regulations; notes that some priorities were postponed to 2022 (i.e. monitoring strategy , transition to egrants) due to the institute’s insufficient human resources; notes , among the institute’s main achievements in 2021 , the launch of its ‘hei initiative: innovation capacity building for higher education’ , which represents a key objective of the sia 2021-2027; appreciates that the average time-to-grant has improved from 187 days to 117 days;


### 11. notes the institute’s considerable increase of workload in 2021 as well as new tasks linked to the institute’s extended mandate under horizon europe programme; notes , however , that the increased mandate and tasks were not accompanied by any new staff resources , leading to a critical understaffing situation putting at risk the implementation of the institute’s multiannual work programme as well as the assurance on the managed funds; takes note that , as a consequence , the institutes administrative costs are at a very low level of 2 % of its total budget compared to an average 4.6 % under horizon 2020; notes in this context the risk of non-implementation of all core elements of the institute’s annual work programme; notes that the institute’s insufficiency of staff and the risks thereby entailed were addressed by institute’s governing board which , at the end of 2021 , endorsed the reorganisation of the management of the available resources , with a revision of the institute’s structure and organigram to take place in 2022; highlights that the institute , after being declined a first request for additional posts for 2021 and 2022 , reintroduced a request for 10 additional posts in 2022; acknowledges the need for the alignment of the institute’s resources with the new mandate expectations; ### 11. notes the institute’s considerable increase of workload in 2021 as well as new tasks linked to the institute’s extended mandate under horizon europe programme; notes , however , that the increased mandate and tasks were not accompanied by any new staff resources , leading to a critical understaffing situation putting at risk the implementation of the institute’s multiannual work programme as well as the assurance on the managed funds; takes note that , as a consequence , the institutes administrative costs are at a very low level of 2 % of its total budget compared to an average 4.6 % under horizon 2020; notes in this context the risk of non-implementation of all core elements of the institute’s annual work programme; notes that the institute’s insufficiency of staff and the risks thereby entailed were addressed by institute’s governing board which , at the end of 2021 , endorsed the reorganisation of the management of the available resources , with a revision of the institute’s structure and organigram to take place in 2022; highlights that the institute , after being declined a first request for additional posts for 2021 and 2022 , reintroduced a request for 10 additional posts in 2022; acknowledges the need for the alignment of the institute’s resources with the new mandate expectations; reminds that not meeting the staff requirements increases the risk of errors and irregularities and thereby also causing potential damage to the sound financial management of the eu budget;


### 30. notes the institute’s ongoing actions to ensure business continuity in the context of the pandemic , such as the roll-out of ms teams for communication and collaboration as well as implementation of pulse surveys to gather staff feedback on key topics; ### 30. notes the institute’s ongoing actions to ensure business continuity in the context of the pandemic , such as the roll-out of ms teams for communication and collaboration as well as implementation of pulse surveys to gather staff feedback on key topics; encourages the agency to make use of the lessons learned regarding remote and hybrid working methods , in order to better recognize meetings and events that are more efficient to be held remotely than in-person in the future; recalls that the agency achieved favourable results in terms of participation in hybrid events;


### 3. notes that the court mentions that the work carried out over many years indicates that mff heading 7 concerns overall low-risk spending; ### 3. notes that the court mentions that the work carried out over many years indicates that mff heading 7 concerns overall low-risk spending; however , notes that the annual report on the implementation of the eu budget for the 2021financial year does not provide for any relevant information on eesc and invites the court to include in the next annual reports comprehensive data regarding the completion of all requirements necessary for a consistent discharge procedure.


### 11. notes the gender distribution within the authority’s senior management members , with 4 out of 5 being women (80%); notes the gender distribution within the authority’s management board (mb) , with 3 out of 5 being women (60%); further notes the gender distribution within the authority’s overall staff , with 162 out of 308 being men (53%); underlines the importance of candidate’s skills , knowledge and experience when recruiting and promoting staff; ### 11. notes the gender distribution within the authority’s senior management members , with 4 out of 5 being women (80%); notes the gender distribution within the authority’s management board (mb) , with 3 out of 5 being women (60%); further notes the gender distribution within the authority’s overall staff , with 162 out of 308 being men (53%); underlines the importance of candidate’s skills , knowledge and experience when recruiting and promoting staff; recalls also the importance of ensuring a balanced geographical reporesentation among the agency's management and staff personnell


### digitalisation and green transition ### digitalisation and sustainability


### 41. welcomes the set of rules and the terms of use recently adopted by the court to govern the private use of the car fleet; understands that members of the court are now obliged to cover the actual costs incurred for the use of a car unrelated to a mission or to cover other journeys in connection with the performance of duties when not covered by the set standard number of kilometres allocated for that kind of use; ### 41. welcomes the set of rules and the terms of use recently adopted by the court to govern the private use of the car fleet; understands that members of the court are now obliged to cover the actual costs incurred for the use of a car unrelated to a mission or to cover other journeys in connection with the performance of duties when not covered by the set standard number of kilometres allocated for that kind of use; notes that different rules exist for the use of official cars in the european institutions without any apparent justification; calls on the commission to suggest common rules for the use of official cars with and without a driver for all eu institutions;


### 47. consistently reaffirms , concerning the court’s ethics committee and the procedure for its appointment , that the court’s internal procedures for the nomination to its ethics committee should not maintain the exclusive prerogative of the president to propose eligible candidates; recalls the court’s special report 13/2019 on the ethical frameworks of the audited eu institutions , pointing out how the composition of ethical committees may have an impact on the perceived objectivity and independence , and reiterates its calls on the court to reconsider the rules for appointment and composition of the ethics committee; once again asks the court’s ethics committee to report on the main findings of the internal audit report on ethics , already requested in 2020 and 2019; ### 47. notes that concerning the court’s ethics committee and the procedure for its appointment , that the court’s internal procedures foresee that the nomination to its ethics committee is the exclusive prerogative of the president to propose eligible candidates; notes that the college decides by majority on the composition of the ethics committee; underlines that according to article 285 of the treaty of the european union the members of eca are completely independent like the judges of the cjeu , it is therefore necessary that the college decides collectively on the composition of the ethics committee as also the ethics committee has to be completely independent and protected from external influence; once again asks the court’s ethics committee to report on the main findings of the internal audit report on ethics , already requested in 2020 and 2019;


### 1. notes that the report of the court of auditors (the ‘court’s report’) finds that the accounts of the joint undertaking for the year ended 31 december 2021 present fairly , in all material respects , its financial position at 31 december 2021 , the results of its operations , its cash flows , and the changes in net assets for the year ended , in accordance with its financial regulation and with accounting rules adopted by the commission’s accounting officer; notes , in addition , from the court’s report that the underlying transactions to the accounts are legal and regular in all material respects; ### 1. welcomes that the report of the court of auditors (the ‘court’s report’) finds that the accounts of the joint undertaking for the year ended 31 december 2021 present fairly , in all material respects , its financial position at 31 december 2021 , the results of its operations , its cash flows , and the changes in net assets for the year ended , in accordance with its financial regulation and with accounting rules adopted by the commission’s accounting officer; highlights that the underlying transactions to the accounts are legal and regular in all material respects;


### 6. notes that the court categorised the risk to budget management as medium for the joint undertaking because of weaknesses observed in the budget planning and monitoring process and the complexity and multiannual nature of its contracts and grant actions; ### 6. is concerned that the court categorised the risk to budget management as medium for the joint undertaking because of weaknesses observed in the budget planning and monitoring process and the complexity and multiannual nature of its contracts and grant actions; calls on the joint undertaking to address this issue in the future budget and monitoring procedures;


### 7. notes that , at the end of 2021 , the joint undertaking had already committed eur 180 million for the 50 % co-financing of horizon 2020 research and innovation grants , which , is the minimum target in the joint undertaking’s founding regulation and that the participating states finance the remaining 50 % of the total project costs , and private members only contribute on top of the maximum eligible costs of the grant actions; notes , however , that , by this date , the private members had only reported eur 4.2 million of in-kind contributions; notes that the court considers that there is a high risk that the eur 420 million of private members’ contributions , as set out in the founding regulation , will not be achieved by the end of the implementation of the grant project; ### 7. notes that , at the end of 2021 , the joint undertaking had already committed eur 180 million for the 50 % co-financing of horizon 2020 research and innovation grants , which , is the minimum target in the joint undertaking’s founding regulation and that the participating states finance the remaining 50 % of the total project costs , and private members only contribute on top of the maximum eligible costs of the grant actions; is , however , concerned that , by this date , the private members had only reported eur 4.2 million of in-kind contributions; notes that the court considers that there is a high risk that the eur 420 million of private members’ contributions , as set out in the founding regulation , will not be achieved by the end of the implementation of the grant project;


### 8. notes that , in july 2021 , the council adopted the new european high performance computing joint undertaking (eurohpc) founding regulation , according to which the joint undertaking will have to implement projects amounting to eur 7 billion , of which eur 3.1 billion should be leveraged from the participating states and eur 900 million from private members in form of cash and in-kind contributions; notes that this represents a significant increase compared to the previous mff programme under which the joint undertaking had to implement projects of around eur 1.4 billion; notes , therefore , that the risk that the joint undertaking will not achieve the other members' contribution targets under the new founding regulation is significantly increased; ### 8. notes that , in july 2021 , the council adopted the new european high performance computing joint undertaking (eurohpc) founding regulation , according to which the joint undertaking will have to implement projects amounting to eur 7 billion , of which eur 3.1 billion should be leveraged from the participating states and eur 900 million from private members in form of cash and in-kind contributions; highlights that this represents a significant increase compared to the previous mff programme under which the joint undertaking had to implement projects of around eur 1.4 billion and therefore , the risk that the joint undertaking will not achieve the other members' contribution targets under the new founding regulation is significantly increased;


### 12. notes that the joint undertaking still lacks reliable procedures for certifying and validating in-kind contributions , reported by its private members and participating states and that it is the only joint undertaking that does not have a strategic implementation plan for the achievement of other members’ contributions; ### 12. is concerned that the joint undertaking still lacks reliable procedures for certifying and validating in-kind contributions , reported by its private members and participating states and that it is the only joint undertaking that does not have a strategic implementation plan for the achievement of other members’ contributions; calls on the joint undertaking to inform the discharge authority on the steps taken to address the lack of such a plan;


### 13. notes that under the 2021-2027 mff , the horizon europe and digital europe programmes remain the main financial resource for joint undertakings , with a total budget of eur 15.1 billion for co-financing the joint undertakings research and innovation activities; notes that the joint undertakings implement eur 11.6 billion , representing around 12 % of the total horizon europe budget of eur 95.5 billion; notes , on the other hand , that the european high performance computing joint undertaking and the proposed future chips joint undertaking4 will implement large capacity-building , deployment and investment projects related to the european digital single market strategy under the digital europe programme; notes that the joint undertaking and the proposed future chips joint undertaking will receive eur3.4 billion in eu funds from the digital europe programme – or 39 % of the programme’s total funding of eur 8.6 billion – to implement these activities; ### 13. notes that under the 2021-2027 mff , the horizon europe and digital europe programmes remain the main financial resource for joint undertakings , with a total budget of eur 15.1 billion for co-financing the joint undertakings research and innovation activities and that the joint undertakings implement eur 11.6 billion , representing around 12 % of the total horizon europe budget of eur 95.5 billion; welcomes , on the other hand , that the european high performance computing joint undertaking and the proposed future chips joint undertaking4 will implement large capacity-building , deployment and investment projects related to the european digital single market strategy under the digital europe programme and that the joint undertaking and the proposed future chips joint undertaking will receive eur3.4 billion in eu funds from the digital europe programme – or 39 % of the programme’s total funding of eur 8.6 billion – to implement these activities;


### 15. notes that , under the planned cmfc system , each participating state can opt to pay to the joint undertaking its respective financial contributions at project level for beneficiaries established in its state and during this process , each participating state also has a right of veto on all issues concerning the use of its own national financial contributions paid to the joint undertaking for applicants established in its state , in line with the eu’s financial and competition rules , allowing a participating state to decide , on the basis of national strategic priorities , whether or not to support a national beneficiary of a selected and approved research and innovation project; notes , on the other hand , that the joint undertaking will have to execute the co-financing payments for all participating states that chose to entrust it with their financial contributions; notes that it will have to manage and monitor two alternative processes of supporting administrative agreements with participating states; notes that each participating state’s national funding authority (nfa) has to sign an agreement with the joint undertaking , to either entrust it with the payment of national contributions , or to coordinate national transfer of funds agreements for the payments to beneficiaries and reporting on contributions; notes that , according to the joint undertaking’s time line , the agreements should be signed before the joint undertaking signs its first model grant agreements for calls launched under the new mff in late 2022; ### 15. notes that , under the planned cmfc system , each participating state can opt to pay to the joint undertaking its respective financial contributions at project level for beneficiaries established in its state and during this process , each participating state also has a right of veto on all issues concerning the use of its own national financial contributions paid to the joint undertaking for applicants established in its state , in line with the eu’s financial and competition rules , allowing a participating state to decide , on the basis of national strategic priorities , whether or not to support a national beneficiary of a selected and approved research and innovation project; notes , on the other hand , that the joint undertaking will have to execute the co-financing payments for all participating states that chose to entrust it with their financial contributions; notes that it will have to manage and monitor two alternative processes of supporting administrative agreements with participating states; notes that each participating state’s national funding authority (nfa) has to sign an agreement with the joint undertaking , to either entrust it with the payment of national contributions , or to coordinate national transfer of funds agreements for the payments to beneficiaries and reporting on contributions; notes that , according to the joint undertaking’s time line , the agreements should be signed before the joint undertaking signs its first model grant agreements for calls launched under the new mff in late 2022; calls on the joint undertaking to explore simplifications for this burdensome procedure and to inform the discharge authority about possible solutions;


### 17. notes that the court assessed the risk for contract expenditure and public procurement procedures as medium for the joint undertaking , due to the complex procurement procedures for high-value contracts; ### 17. highlights that the court assessed the risk for contract expenditure and public procurement procedures as medium for the joint undertaking , due to the complex procurement procedures for high-value contracts;


### 19. notes that the main concerns identified by the eca is that the joint undertaking has been understaffed; notes that the lack of sufficient statutory staff , has led to increased use of interim staff , which can lead to weaknesses in financial , budgetary and staff management , and may pose risks in terms of continuity of activities , retention of key competences and lack of sufficient internal controls; notes that , under the new regulation , the joint undertaking is able to take steps to rectify this issue and has initiated the recruitment process while prioritising essential positions which relate to key functions of the joint undertaking and risk mitigation , such the internal auditor positions; ### 19. regrets that the main concerns identified by the eca are related to the fact that the joint undertaking has been understaffed and that the lack of sufficient statutory staff , has led to increased use of interim staff , which can lead to weaknesses in financial , budgetary and staff management , and may pose risks in terms of continuity of activities , retention of key competences and lack of sufficient internal controls; welcomes that , under the new regulation , the joint undertaking is able to take steps to rectify this issue and has initiated the recruitment process while prioritising essential positions which relate to key functions of the joint undertaking and risk mitigation , such the internal auditor positions;


### 21. notes that the joint undertaking is working with dg budg to clarify the situation on the joint undertaking’s staff pension contributions , in line with the recommendations of the european court of auditors made in late 2021; ### 21. notes that the joint undertaking is working with dg budg to clarify the situation on the joint undertaking’s staff pension contributions , in line with the recommendations of the european court of auditors made in late 2021; calls on the joint undertaking not to wait for the final calculation of outstanding contributions , but to consider this obligation when planning its future budget e.g. through a corresponding accrual for pension contributions;


### 23. notes that thirteen consortia signed agreements with the joint undertaking in 2021 and began to work in april 2021; notes that the projects cover the three topics of the call ‘towards extreme scale technologies and applications’ , and use up more than the 70% of the designated funding available under europe 2020; ### 23. welcomes that thirteen consortia signed agreements with the joint undertaking in 2021 and began to work in april 2021; notes that the projects cover the three topics of the call ‘towards extreme scale technologies and applications’ , and use up more than the 70% of the designated funding available under europe 2020;


### 24. notes that the different consortia will work on research and innovation activities that will help europe to become globally competitive in the field of supercomputing; notes that ten (10) of these projects will address eurohpc-01-2019 ‘extreme scale computing and data driven technologies’ and that another two projects , microcard and regale , will focus topic eurohpc-02-2019 on ‘hpc and data centric environments and application platforms’; ### 24. highlights that the different consortia will work on research and innovation activities that will help europe to become globally competitive in the field of supercomputing and that ten (10) of these projects will address eurohpc-01-2019 ‘extreme scale computing and data driven technologies’ and that another two projects , microcard and regale , will focus topic eurohpc-02-2019 on ‘hpc and data centric environments and application platforms’;


### 25. notes , moreover , that the exafoam project will concentrate on topic eurohpc-03-2019 on ‘industrial software codes for extreme scale computing’.2 the eurohpc ju launched a call covering the call “training and education on high performance computing” for the design and delivery of a european master programme in hpc , the call was launched early in the year and by october the joint undertaking was able to announce that the project would go ahead as lead by the university of luxembourg and in collaboration with 7 other european universities: ### 25. notes , moreover , that the exafoam project will concentrate on topic eurohpc-03-2019 on ‘industrial software codes for extreme scale computing’.2 the eurohpc ju launched a call covering the call “training and education on high performance computing” for the design and delivery of a european master programme in hpc , the call was launched early in the year and by october the joint undertaking was able to announce that the project would go ahead as lead by the university of luxembourg and in collaboration with 7 other european universities; is convinced that this initiative will facilitate the education and professional development of high potentials who are pivotal for the success of the joint undertaking;


### 27. notes that , in 2020 , the joint undertaking developed an action plan to implement the remaining actions of the 17 internal control principles of the commission's internal control framework in 2021 , notes , however , due to the absence of key administrative staff (as such , head of finance and administration and head of internal audit capability) , the joint undertaking had not yet approved several important internal control actions within the 2021 deadlines set in its action plan; ### 27. welcomes that , in 2020 , the joint undertaking developed an action plan to implement the remaining actions of the 17 internal control principles of the commission's internal control framework in 2021 , and that due to the absence of key administrative staff (as such , head of finance and administration and head of internal audit capability) , the joint undertaking had not yet approved several important internal control actions within the 2021 deadlines set in its action plan;


### 29. notes , from the joint undertaking annual activity report , that the joint undertaking has developed a comprehensive set of rules and procedures for its staff to have a clear framework in which to work; notes that these rules are effective across the entire governance structure of the ju , and that the conflict of interest procedures are in place for the members of both the governing body and the advisory bodies; ### 29. welcomes that the joint undertaking has developed a comprehensive set of rules and procedures for its staff to have a clear framework in which to work and that these rules are effective across the entire governance structure of the ju , and that the conflict of interest procedures are in place for the members of both the governing body and the advisory bodies;


### 30. notes , in addition , that specific measures have been implemented for the prevention and management of conflicts of interest of experts in charge of the evaluation of grant applications and of the review of projects and tenders; ### 30. appreciates , in addition , that specific measures have been implemented for the prevention and management of conflicts of interest of experts in charge of the evaluation of grant applications and of the review of projects and tenders;


### 31. notes that the joint undertaking adopted and started to implement the common research anti-fraud strategy; notes , furthermore , that , for areas of expenditure other than grants , the joint undertaking applies mutatis mutandis and by analogy , the anti-fraud strategy approved by dg communications networks , content and technology risk management (dg cnect). ### 31. highlights that the joint undertaking adopted and started to implement the common research anti-fraud strategy and that for areas of expenditure other than grants , the joint undertaking applies mutatis mutandis and by analogy , the anti-fraud strategy approved by dg communications networks , content and technology risk management (dg cnect).


### 2. notes that the agency uses key performance indicators to assess its activities and the results towards its objectives of the work programme , such as added value to eu institutions , bodies and member states in providing support for policymaking and policy implementation , and ability to contribute to europe’s cyberresilience through the provision of timely and effective information and knowledge , among others; ### 2. notes that the agency uses key performance indicators to assess its activities and the results towards its objectives of the work programme , such as added value to eu institutions , bodies and member states in providing support for policymaking and policy implementation , and ability to contribute to europe’s cyberresilience through the provision of timely and effective information and knowledge , among others; appreciates the kpis fulfilled and the fact that the agency has drawn attention to measures that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency’s work; however points out to the agency to take note on the indicators that are not achieved or lagging behind;


### 7. notes that the agency relied heavily on delivering its services through interim agents who supported the day-to-day administrative burden , considering that increased support was also needed following the reorganisation and the preparation for the new building putting additional strain on the financial and procurement team; notes with appreciation , moreover that the agency’s revised recruitment policy has led to a reduction of interims staff; notes , furthermore , from the court report that the increase in staff numbers in 2021 is due to agency’s success in filling in several long- term vacancies; ### 7. notes that the agency relied heavily on delivering its services through interim agents who supported the day-to-day administrative burden , considering that increased support was also needed following the reorganisation and the preparation for the new building putting additional strain on the financial and procurement team; notes with appreciation , moreover that the agency’s revised recruitment policy has led to a reduction of interims staff; notes , furthermore , from the court report that the increase in staff numbers in 2021 is due to agency’s success in filling in several long- term vacancies; understands that the cybersecurity and ict-sector are highly competitive sectors with regard to finding skilled and committed workforce;


### 8. recalls the importance to develop a long term hr policy on work-life balance , lifelong guidance and career development , gender balance , teleworking , geographical balance and recruitment and integration of people with disabilities; ### 8. recalls the importance to develop a long term hr policy on work-life balance , lifelong guidance and career development , gender balance , teleworking , geographical balance and recruitment and integration of people with disabilities; reminds the agency to further develop staff policy and working culture in order to more efficiently answer to the feedback received in staff surveys;


### 27. notes that since the start of the covid-19 pandemic and during 2021 , the agency has introduced and maintained permanent teleworking options while maintaining and enhancing employee motivation , efficiency and development; notes with appreciation , in particular , that during the pandemic , daily updates were sent to all staff members via a designated functional mailbox , detailing the number of cases and the most recent developments in the world , so as to keep staff abreast; ### 27. notes that since the start of the covid-19 pandemic and during 2021 , the agency has introduced and maintained permanent teleworking options while maintaining and enhancing employee motivation , efficiency and development; notes with appreciation , in particular , that during the pandemic , daily updates were sent to all staff members via a designated functional mailbox , detailing the number of cases and the most recent developments in the world , so as to keep staff abreast; encourages the agency to make use of the lessons learned regarding remote and hybrid working methods , in order to better recognize meetings and tasks that are more efficient to be held and performed remotely than in-person in the future;


### 21. believes that the use of the unanimity voting procedure in the council on certain policy areas is paralysing the union’s decision-making process and therefore making it prone to blackmailing by member states , especially those who fail to respect the rule of law; calls on the council to apply the qualified majority voting procedures whenever possible and consider the review of the treaties regulating the voting procedures; believes that the generalised shift to a qualified majority voting procedure in the council is a crucial step towards more efficient policy-making; ### deleted


### 23. regrets the fact that the participation of the member states’ permanent representatives in the transparency register is completely voluntary and insists that all permanent representations should take an active part in the transparency register before , during and after their member state’s council presidency; believes that the existing ethics rules on conflicts of interest , revolving doors and lobby transparency should be strengthened and harmonised; encourages the council to fully utilise the transparency register scheme beyond its current limitations and calls on the council to refuse to meet with unregistered lobbyists; ### 23. notes that the participation of the member states’ permanent representatives in the transparency register is voluntary; believes that the existing ethics rules on conflicts of interest , revolving doors and lobby transparency should be strengthened and harmonised; encourages the council to fully utilise the transparency register scheme beyond its current limitations and calls on the council to refuse to meet with unregistered lobbyists;


### 31. draws attention to the 5% staff reduction target , that in 2018 required parliament to eliminate 60 posts from its administration establishment plan; is concerned that this significant reduction may have negative effects on parliament’s performance , both at short and long term; ### 31. draws attention to the 5% staff reduction target , that in 2018 required parliament to eliminate 60 posts from its administration establishment plan; is concerned that this significant reduction may have negative effects on parliament’s performance , both at short and long term; strongly believes it is essential to implement a communication strategy aimed at the council , the member states and the european citizens to respond to unfair widespread criticism pursuing for years to the european union civil service;


### 37. highlights the total of all costs related to the 12 missions to strasbourg amounts to eur 27 211 000; ### deleted


### 38. notes that the costs linked to parliament’s 12 journeys for members per year to strasbourg amounts to eur 21 266 689; notes that the annual travel costs amount to eur 3 631 082 for parliament staff and eur 2 097 250 for apas; ### deleted


### 39. notes that the cost of the thalys charter train was eur 3 739 680 in 2018 (compared to eur 3 668 532 in 2017); ### deleted


### 40. notes that this additional expenditure goes against the principle of sound financial management and against the principle of budgetary discipline; acknowledges that a single seat can only be achieved by a unanimous treaty change; stresses that moving parliament’s official vehicles to strasbourg could be more efficient by transporting accredited parliamentary assistants (apas); ### 40. notes that this additional expenditure goes against the principle of sound financial management and against the principle of budgetary discipline; recalls that a vast majority of parliament expressed in various resolutions support for a single seat to ensure efficient spending of union taxpayers money; notes that the court estimated that moving from strasbourg to brussels could generate annual savings of 114 million euro plus a one-off saving of eur 616 million if the strasbourg buildings are successfully divested , or a one-off cost of eur 40 million if they are not; notes that a single seat can only be achieved by a unanimous treaty change; urges the council to take note of the parliament's position and take its responsibility and act accordingly; stresses that moving parliament’s official vehicles to strasbourg could be more efficient by transporting accredited parliamentary assistants (apas);


### 40. notes that this additional expenditure goes against the principle of sound financial management and against the principle of budgetary discipline; acknowledges that a single seat can only be achieved by a unanimous treaty change; stresses that moving parliament’s official vehicles to strasbourg could be more efficient by transporting accredited parliamentary assistants (apas); ### 40. notes that this additional expenditure goes against the principle of sound financial management and against the principle of budgetary discipline; acknowledges that a single seat can only be achieved by a unanimous treaty change; stresses that moving parliament’s official vehicles to strasbourg could be more efficient by transporting members , accredited parliamentary assistants (apas) or other members of staff with mission orders;


### 41. recalls that in 2018 , directorate-general for communication (dg comm) had 805 members of staff and managed 6 ,1% of parliament’s overall budget; ### 41. recalls that in 2018 , directorate-general for communication (dg comm) had 805 members of staff; calls upon dg comm to make use of more than 2018’s 6 ,1% of parliament’s overall budget in the years to come;


### 44. calls on dg comm to continue its efforts to improve parliament’s public website , in particular with regard to search engine optimization , and increase its visibility; urges dg comm to create an easy-to-browse website , easily accessible from all devices i.e. from smartphones to desktop computers; ### 44. calls on dg comm to continue its efforts to improve parliament’s public website , in particular with regard to search engine optimization , and increase its visibility; urges dg comm to create an easy-to-browse website , easily accessible from all devices i.e. smartphones , tablets and desktop computers , with a particular emphasis on a simplified mobile version of the website;


### 46. acknowledges , in addition , the significant improvement in parliament’s use of social media , as well as actions related to raising awareness of union actions; notes also that significant efforts were invested in a comprehensive visitors’ strategy and , with a particular focus on youth , the implementation of the ambassador school programme; ### 46. acknowledges an improvement in parliament’s use of social media , as well as actions related to raising awareness of union actions , and further urges parliament to intensify its activity on social media in order disseminate the results of parliament’s work among the union citizens; notes also that significant efforts were invested in a comprehensive visitors’ strategy and , with a particular focus on youth , the implementation of the ambassador school programme;


### 61. draws attention to the court of auditors’ special report no 15/201912 : implementation of the 2014 staff reform package at the commission - big savings but not without consequences for staff; is concerned that less favourable conditions of employment have reduced the attractiveness of working for the union at a time when it is struggling to attract sufficient staff from a number of member states; ### 61. draws attention to the court of auditors’ special report no 15/201912 : implementation of the 2014 staff reform package at the commission - big savings but not without consequences for staff; is concerned that less favourable conditions of employment may have reduced the attractiveness of working for the union at a time when it is struggling to attract sufficient staff from a number of member states;


### 66. supports parliament’s zero tolerance policy towards harassment and the actions put in place to discourage harassment in the workplace , in particular the adoption by the bureau on 12 march 2018 of an updated roadmap for the adaptation of preventive and early support measures to deal with conflict and harassment between members and apas , trainees or other staff , an external audit of parliament’s internal practices and procedures , the creation of a network of confidential counsellors and of a mediator function , and the organisation of a public hearing with experts in harassment in the workplace; expects the results of the external audit , once available , to be communicated without delay; welcomes the fact that some groups have strongly encouraged their members to participate in trainings on dignity and respect at work , in order to lead by example , and encourages the groups which have not done so yet to follow the same approach; ### 66. recognizes parliament’s zero tolerance policy towards harassment and the actions put in place to discourage harassment in the workplace , in particular the adoption by the bureau on 12 march 2018 of an updated roadmap for the adaptation of preventive and early support measures to deal with conflict and harassment between members and apas , trainees or other staff , an external audit of parliament’s internal practices and procedures , the creation of a network of confidential counsellors and of a mediator function , and the organisation of a public hearing with experts in harassment in the workplace; expects the results of the external audit , once available , to be communicated without delay; welcomes the fact that some groups have strongly encouraged their members to participate in trainings on dignity and respect at work , in order to lead by example , and encourages the groups which have not done so yet to follow the same approach; however calls upon parliament to bear in mind the scarcity of cases of harassment taking place on parliament's premises , and to limit the focus on this issue accordingly;


### 74. supports the improvement of the working environment for members in brussels (1 personal office + 2 offices for their staff) and strasbourg (1 + 1 offices); ### 74. commends the improvement of the working environment for members in brussels (1 personal office + 2 offices for their staff) and strasbourg (1 + 1 offices); further supports improving of working conditions of members in keeping with paragraph 98 of this document;


### 80. supports the internalisation of the drivers’ service and notes the very high satisfaction rate (99 ,9%) for the official car service in 2018; believes that official cars should be allowed to take members and staff with mission orders on board when driving from brussels to strasbourg and back; ### 80. rejects the internalisation of the drivers’ service; rejects the idea that official cars should be allowed to take members and staff with mission orders on board when driving from brussels to strasbourg and back; reiterates that additional 12 journeys per year to strasbourg and back only generate additional costs and emits harmful compounds emissions;


### 80. supports the internalisation of the drivers’ service and notes the very high satisfaction rate (99 ,9%) for the official car service in 2018; believes that official cars should be allowed to take members and staff with mission orders on board when driving from brussels to strasbourg and back; ### 80. supports the internalisation of the drivers’ service and notes the very high satisfaction rate (99 ,9%) for the official car service in 2018; believes that official cars should be allowed to take members and staff with mission orders on board when driving from brussels to strasbourg and back; takes note of the new rule demanding drivers to wait for a maximum of 5 minutes at the pick-up location , understands the necessity of such a rule , however , is concerned that this time limit is too tight;


### 82. welcomes the diversification of the offer in parliament’s self-service canteen; is concerned that , despite the competition being brought into that sector , the cost/benefit assessment of prices and quality of the food in parliament’s self-service canteen has become more unbalanced; calls for a user satisfaction survey to be launched on quality-price ratio; ### 82. welcomes the diversification of the offer in parliament’s self-service canteen; is concerned that , despite the competition being brought into that sector , the cost/benefit assessment of prices and quality of the food in parliament’s self-service canteen has become more unbalanced; calls for a user satisfaction survey to be launched on quality-price ratio; calls for necessary amendments to be made regarding the unbalanced quality-price ratio stemming from the results of the survey;


### 93. acknowledges that , in 2018 , dg trad saw a 10% increase in production compared with the previous year , owing to the cyclical nature of translation demand , which is closely linked to parliamentary activity; notes that in-house translation output in relation to capacity reached 119 ,4 % (benchmark: 100 %) and the outsourcing rate was 32 ,8 % (31 ,4 % in 2017); calls on dg trad to continue its work to increase checking the compliance and quality of outsourced translations; ### 93. acknowledges that , in 2018 , dg trad saw a 10% increase in production compared with the previous year , owing to the cyclical nature of translation demand , which is closely linked to parliamentary activity; notes with concern that in-house translation output in relation to capacity reached 119 ,4 % (benchmark: 100 %) and the outsourcing rate was 32 ,8 % (31 ,4 % in 2017); appeals to dg trad to consider greater amount of outsourcing , respecting the 100 % benchmark and focusing on the quality and translational flawlessness of the documents; calls on dg trad to continue its work to increase checking the compliance and quality of outsourced translations;


### 99. expresses its concern about the obsolescence of the directorate-general’s it applications and the risk of it failure , which are both considered as high; calls on dg fins and dg itec to continue their constructive cooperation in order to implement appropriate mitigating measures , including the smooth deployment of the new financial management and accounting system; ### 99. expresses its concern about the obsolescence of the directorate-general’s it applications and the risk of it failure , which are both considered as high; calls on dg fins and dg itec to step up their constructive cooperation in order to implement appropriate mitigating measures , including the smooth deployment of the new financial management and accounting system;


### 100. approves of significant efforts for ongoing investment in the digitisation of financial processes , such as members’ electronic signatures , with a view to enhancing client service , administrative efficiency and the level of checks , in particular , the introduction of on-line reimbursement of members’ medical expenses and automation of the central attendance register , with a view to speeding up payments of related entitlements and extension of the functions of the e-portal , as the single entry point for members to manage their financial and social entitlements; ### 100. approves of significant efforts for ongoing investment in the digitisation of financial processes , such as members’ electronic signatures , with a view to enhancing client service , administrative efficiency and the level of checks , in particular , the introduction of on-line reimbursement of members’ medical expenses and automation of the central attendance register , with a view to speeding up payments of related entitlements and extension of the functions of the e-portal , as the single entry point for members to manage their financial and social entitlements; deplores time-consuming inefficiencies in entering and checking the data , notably that data on members' travel costs is entered into the system twice , first by members and in a second step again by the administration;


### 101. notes that parliament’s new travel agency started operating on 1 january 2019 , following a public call for tenders; welcomes the availability of the travel service’s call centre at all times , including at weekends; presses for a simple and user-friendly complaints mechanism , which allows for speedy resolution of any problems; deplores that tickets proposed by the agency are not always the most cost effective ones and that members experience delays in the reimbursement of their travel costs; calls on dg fins to launch a satisfaction survey on the services of the travel agency , in order to present the results by 30 june 2020 at the latest; ### 101. notes that parliament’s new travel agency started operating on 1 january 2019 , following a public call for tenders; welcomes the availability of the travel service’s call centre at all times , including at weekends; deplores that members experienced difficulties reaching the travel service’s call centre during and outside working hours , calls for an improvement of availability; presses for a simple and user-friendly complaints mechanism , which allows for speedy resolution of any problems; deplores that tickets proposed by the agency are not always the most cost effective ones and that members experience considerable delays in the reimbursement of their travel costs; calls on dg fins to launch a satisfaction survey on the services of the travel agency , in order to present the results by 30 june 2020 at the latest;


### 101. notes that parliament’s new travel agency started operating on 1 january 2019 , following a public call for tenders; welcomes the availability of the travel service’s call centre at all times , including at weekends; presses for a simple and user-friendly complaints mechanism , which allows for speedy resolution of any problems; deplores that tickets proposed by the agency are not always the most cost effective ones and that members experience delays in the reimbursement of their travel costs; calls on dg fins to launch a satisfaction survey on the services of the travel agency , in order to present the results by 30 june 2020 at the latest; ### 101. notes that parliament’s new travel agency started operating on 1 january 2019 ,following a public call for tenders; welcomes the availability of the travel service’s call centre at all times , including the weekends; presses for a simple and user-friendly complaints mechanism , which allows for quick resolution of any problems; deplores that tickets proposed by the agency are not always the most cost effective ones and that members experience delays in the reimbursement of their travel costs; calls on dg fins to launch a satisfaction survey on the services of the travel agency , in order to present the results by 30 june 2020 at the latest; urges the new travel agency to reflect on the results provided by the satisfaction survey and implement improvements accordingly;


### 109. notes that , at its meeting of 10 december 2018 , the bureau decided to modify the rules applicable to the pension scheme by increasing the retirement age from 63 to 65 years and introducing a levy of 5% to pension payments for future pensioners with a view to improve its sustainability; considers that the bureau’s decision is a positive step; notes however that parliament will remain liable for a very significant amount in the future; ### 109. notes that , at its meeting of 10 december 2018 , the bureau decided to modify the rules applicable to the pension scheme by increasing the retirement age from 63 to 65 years and introducing a levy of 5% to pension payments for future pensioners with a view to improve its sustainability; considers that the bureau’s decision is a positive step; notes however that parliament will remain liable for a very significant amount in the future; recalls that article 27(2) of the statute for members of the european parliament provides that “[a]cquired rights and future entitlements shall be maintained in full”;


### 109. notes that , at its meeting of 10 december 2018 , the bureau decided to modify the rules applicable to the pension scheme by increasing the retirement age from 63 to 65 years and introducing a levy of 5% to pension payments for future pensioners with a view to improve its sustainability; considers that the bureau’s decision is a positive step; notes however that parliament will remain liable for a very significant amount in the future; ### 109. strongly supports the results of a meeting of 10 december 2018 , where the bureau decided to modify the rules applicable to the pension scheme by increasing the retirement age from 63 to 65 years and introducing a levy of 5% to pension payments for future pensioners with a view to improve its sustainability; endorses the bureau’s decision as a positive step; notes however that parliament will remain liable for a very significant amount in the future;


### 110. calls on the secretary-general , as well as the bureau , to exhaust all possible avenues to keep parliament’s liability to a minimum , as taxpayers’ money is involved; ### 110. calls on the secretary-general , as well as the bureau , to exhaust all possible avenues to find a fair solution to the problem while keeping parliament’s liability to a minimum , as taxpayers’ money is involved;


### 150. underlines the importance of holding the authority accountable in order to build assurance , and therefore calls for increased transparency on the annual activity of the authority , including on its working methods and principles applied; ### 150. underlines the importance of the authority’s reporting about its activities as an element of its accountability;


### 10. regrets that out of the minimum eur 182 500 000 of cash contributions to be made by the industry members to the joint undertaking’s operational costs , only eur 800 000 were paid by the end of 2018 , and as a result , the commission decided at the end of 2018 to reduce the joint undertaking’s 2020 budget of eur 205 000 000 by eur 140 000 000; observes that there is a high risk that the minimum will not be achieved by the end of the joint undertaking’s programme; ### 10. regrets that out of the minimum eur 182 500 000 of cash contributions to be made by the industry members to the joint undertaking’s operational costs , only eur 800 000 were paid by the end of 2018 , and as a result , the commission decided at the end of 2018 to reduce the joint undertaking’s 2020 budget of eur 205 000 000 by eur 140 000 000; observes with concern that there is a high risk that the minimum will not be achieved by the end of the joint undertaking’s programme;


### 22. welcomes the court’s finding that the residual error rate is below materiality , amounting to 0 ,01 % for horizon 2020; ### 22. notes with appreciation the court’s finding that the residual error rate is below materiality , amounting to 0 ,01 % for horizon 2020;


### 1. grants the executive director of the european securities and markets authority discharge in respect of the implementation of the authority’s budget for the financial year 2018 / postpones its decision on granting the executive director of the european securities and markets authority discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the authority for the financial year 2018; ### 1. grants the executive director of the european securities and markets authority discharge in respect of the implementation of the authority’s budget for the financial year 2018;


### 1. approves the closure of the accounts of the european securities and markets authority for the financial year 2018 / postpones the closure of the accounts of the european securities and markets authority for the financial year 2018; ### 1. approves the closure of the accounts of the european securities and markets authority for the financial year 2018;


### 2. stresses that , while making sure that all assignments are carried out in full and within deadline , the authority should carefully adhere to the tasks and the mandate assigned to it by the european parliament and the council; ### 2. stresses that , while making sure that all assignments are carried out in full and within deadline , the authority should carefully adhere to the tasks and the mandate assigned to it by the european parliament and the council and that the authority must never attempt to go beyond its mandate; points out that focussing on the mandate assigned by the european parliament and the council will lead to a more effective and efficient use of resources;


### 4. notes that the authority , along with the european banking authority (eba) and the european insurance and occupational pensions authority (eiopa) , forms part of a joint committee which aims to ensure cross-sector consistency and joint positions in the area of supervision of financial conglomerates and on other cross-sector issues , and that it shares an accounting officer with the european union agency for railways and has taken part in many joint procurements with other agencies , always seeking efficiencies through cooperation; ### 4. notes that the authority , along with the european banking authority (eba) and the european insurance and occupational pensions authority (eiopa) , forms part of a joint committee which aims to ensure cross-sector consistency and joint positions in the area of supervision of financial conglomerates and on other cross-sector issues , and that it shares an accounting officer with the european union agency for railways (era) and has taken part in many joint procurements with other agencies , always seeking efficiencies through cooperation; strongly encourages the authority to actively seek further and broader cooperation with all union agencies;


### 10. notes that , according to the court’s report , in 2018 , the authority launched the procurement procedure for the renting of new office space in paris; notes that initially the authority had planned a joint procurement procedure with other union bodies , such as eba , which was , at the time , preparing for its relocation from london to paris; notes that the authorities came to the conclusion that the envisaged advantages of a joint procurement procedure would not materialise and that the authority and eba carried out separate procurement procedures for the renting of their office space and other related services , missing the opportunity for economies of scale and efficiency; calls on the authority to cooperate and use joint procurement procedures wherever possible; ### 10. notes that , according to the court’s report , in 2018 , the authority launched the procurement procedure for the renting of new office space in paris; notes that initially the authority had planned a joint procurement procedure with other union bodies , such as eba , which was , at the time , preparing for its relocation from london to paris; notes that the authorities came to the conclusion that the envisaged advantages of a joint procurement procedure would not materialise and that the authority and eba carried out separate procurement procedures for the renting of their office space and other related services , missing the opportunity for economies of scale and efficiency; calls on the authority to strengthen its cooperation with the other agencies and use joint procurement procedures wherever possible , in order not to miss opportunities for economies of scale and efficiency gains;


### 1. grants the director-general of the euratom supply agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the agency’s budget for the financial year 2018 / postpones its decision on granting the director-general of the euratom supply agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the agency’s budget for the financial year 2018; ### 1. grants the director-general of the euratom supply agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the agency’s budget for the financial year 2018;


### 1. approves the closure of the accounts of the euratom supply agency for the financial year 2018 / postpones its decision on approving the closure of the accounts of the euratom supply agency for the financial year 2018; ### 1. approves the closure of the accounts of the euratom supply agency for the financial year 2018;


### 6. notes that in 2018 , participating states who are required to contribute at least eur 1 170 000 000 to horizon 2020 operational activities of the joint undertaking , made commitments amounting to eur 564 000 000 and payments of eur 178 000 000 , representing 15% of the total required contributions; notes that the low level of participating states’ contributions is related to the fact that some participating states only recognise and report their costs to the ecsel ju at the end of the horizon 2020 projects they support; notes that the implementation rate of the budget available for horizon 2020 was 100% for the commitment appropriations and 72% for the payment appropriations , and that the rate of payment appropriation resulted in a lower amount due to the additional contribution of eur 20 000 000 received in december 2018; ### 6. notes with alarm that in 2018 , participating states who are required to contribute at least eur 1 170 000 000 to horizon 2020 operational activities of the joint undertaking , made commitments amounting to eur 564 000 000 and payments of eur 178 000 000 , representing 15% of the total required contributions; notes that the low level of participating states’ contributions is related to the fact that some participating states only recognise and report their costs to the ecsel ju at the end of the horizon 2020 projects they support; notes that the implementation rate of the budget available for horizon 2020 was 100% for the commitment appropriations and 72% for the payment appropriations , and that the rate of payment appropriation resulted in a lower amount due to the additional contribution of eur 20 000 000 received in december 2018;


### 13. notes with concern that the court found significant shortcomings in the management of the procurement procedures for administrative services; notes from the joint undertaking’s replies that a budget , procurement , and contracts assistant has been nominated to address this issue; ### 13. notes with grave concern that the court found significant shortcomings in the management of the procurement procedures for administrative services; notes from the joint undertaking’s replies that a budget , procurement , and contracts assistant has been nominated to address this issue;


### 10. notes that the court adopted a new set of kpis (key performance indicators) for the period 2018-2020 , consisting of kpis providing a broad overview of the dissemination , impact and perception of its work; notes among the kpis the court’s appearance in parliament , council and national parliaments and the number of special reports published rather than merely adopted; ### 10. notes that the court adopted a new set of kpis (key performance indicators) for the period 2018-2020 , consisting of kpis providing a broad overview of the dissemination , impact and perception of its work; notes among the kpis the court’s appearance in parliament , council and national parliaments and the number of special reports published rather than merely adopted; invites the court to consider including the audit's value-added into its kpis and continuously report on the implementation of its recommendations;


### 28. emphasises that an ethical framework consists of rules to prevent , identify and avoid potential conflict of interests; notes that the court’s ethical framework is currently being reviewed by experts from the supreme audit institutions of poland and croatia; calls on the court to inform parliament of any follow-up actions that are decided based on the outcome of the peer review; ### 28. emphasises that an ethical framework consists of rules to prevent , identify and avoid potential conflict of interests; notes that the court’s ethical framework has been reviewed by experts from the supreme audit institutions of poland and croatia; takes note of the final peer review report; calls on the court to inform parliament of any follow-up actions that are decided based on the outcome of the peer review;


### — having regard to the to the court of auditors report on efsi in january 20195 ) , ### — having regard to the to the court of auditors special report on european fund for strategic investment (efsi) of january 20195 , no 03/2019 ,


### h. whereas public policy goals such as social cohesion , sustainable development and environmental should be at the core focus and targets of the bank; ### h. whereas public policy goals such as social cohesion , sustainable development and environmental goal should be at the core focus and targets of the bank;


### 1. notes that the eib provided more than 64 ,19 billion euros of financing in 2018 and that 854 projects were signed , ### 1. notes that the eib group provided more than 64 ,19 billion euros of financing in 2018 and that 854 projects were signed ,


### 3. notes the eib’s two over-arching policy goals related to eu social and economic cohesion and to climate action plus the four primary public policy goals of innovation , smes and mid-cap financing , infrastructure and environment; stresses that these primary public policy goals should be fully aligned with the recent update of the eu’s policy priorities to reflect the transition towards a new economic model that respects planetary boundaries and shared prosperity; ### 3. notes the eib’s two over-arching policy goals related to eu social and economic cohesion and to climate action plus the four primary public policy goals of innovation , smes and mid-cap financing , infrastructure and environment; stresses that these primary public policy goals should be fully aligned with the recent update of the eu’s policy priorities to reflect the transition towards a new sustainable economic model that respects planetary boundaries , social fairness and shared prosperity;


### 3. notes the eib’s two over-arching policy goals related to eu social and economic cohesion and to climate action plus the four primary public policy goals of innovation , smes and mid-cap financing , infrastructure and environment; stresses that these primary public policy goals should be fully aligned with the recent update of the eu’s policy priorities to reflect the transition towards a new economic model that respects planetary boundaries and shared prosperity; ### 3. notes the eib’s two over-arching policy goals related to eu social and economic cohesion and to climate action plus the four primary public policy goals of innovation , smes and mid-cap financing , infrastructure and environment; stresses that these primary public policy goals should be fully aligned with the recent update of the eu’s policy priorities to reflect new social and economic trends and the alteration of the economic model with respect of the idea of shared prosperity;


### 4. takes note of the 2018 geographical breakdown of signed finance contracts with the main five beneficiary member states being spain (13 ,4%) , italy (13 ,3%) , france (10 ,9%) , germany (8 ,3%) and poland (7%); calls on the eib to also report on signed finance contracts by country per capita and in relation to the county’s share in the eib; calls for a balanced geographical distribution of investments to take into account the level of development and cohesion aspects of the countries and regions; ### 4. takes note of the 2018 geographical breakdown of signed finance contracts with the main five beneficiary member states having in total a share of 52.9% ; calls on the eib to also report on signed finance contracts by country per capita and in relation to the county’s share in the eib; calls for a balanced geographical distribution of investments to take into account the level of development and cohesion aspects of the countries and regions;


### 4. takes note of the 2018 geographical breakdown of signed finance contracts with the main five beneficiary member states being spain (13 ,4%) , italy (13 ,3%) , france (10 ,9%) , germany (8 ,3%) and poland (7%); calls on the eib to also report on signed finance contracts by country per capita and in relation to the county’s share in the eib; calls for a balanced geographical distribution of investments to take into account the level of development and cohesion aspects of the countries and regions; ### 4. takes note of the 2018 geographical breakdown of signed finance contracts with the main five beneficiary member states being spain (13 ,4%) , italy (13 ,3%) , france (10 ,9%) , germany (8 ,3%) and poland (7%); calls on the eib to also report on signed finance contracts by country per capita and in relation to the county’s share in the eib; takes note of the 2018 geographical breakdown of signed finance contracts per capita with the main five beneficiary member states being greece 1.01% (eur 1.87 bn) , cyprus 1.01% (eur 0.21 bn) , portugal0.98% (eur 1.98 bn) , croatia 0.98% (eur 0.51 bn) and poland 0.97% (eur 4.79 bn);


### 5. takes note that council agreed to sustain the bank’s capital base by replacing the uk contribution to the eib’s paid-in capital by the bank’s reserves and callable capital by proportional increases of contingent liabilities; takes note that council agreed to an asymmetric capital increase leading to increases of the capital shares of poland and romania; calls for further increases of the eib’s capitalisation to allow for more investment and more risk-taking to finance the necessary projects for the sustainable and digital transformation of the economy while preserving the eib’s triple a rating; ### 5. takes note that council agreed to sustain the bank’s capital base by replacing the uk contribution to the eib’s paid-in capital by the bank’s reserves and callable capital by proportional increases of contingent liabilities; takes note that council agreed to an asymmetric capital increase leading to increases of the capital shares of poland and romania; calls on the eib shareholders to for further increase the eib’s capitalisation to allow for more investment and more risk-taking to finance the necessary projects for the sustainable and digital transformation of the economy while preserving the eib’s triple a rating;


### 5. takes note that council agreed to sustain the bank’s capital base by replacing the uk contribution to the eib’s paid-in capital by the bank’s reserves and callable capital by proportional increases of contingent liabilities; takes note that council agreed to an asymmetric capital increase leading to increases of the capital shares of poland and romania; calls for further increases of the eib’s capitalisation to allow for more investment and more risk-taking to finance the necessary projects for the sustainable and digital transformation of the economy while preserving the eib’s triple a rating; ### 5. takes note that council agreed to sustain the bank’s capital base by replacing the uk contribution to the eib’s paid-in capital by the bank’s reserves and callable capital by proportional increases of contingent liabilities; takes note that council agreed to an asymmetric capital increase leading to increases of the capital shares of poland and romania; calls for further increases of the eib’s capitalisation to allow for more investment and more risk-taking to finance the necessary projects for the sustainable and digital transformation of the economy as well as to projects that contribute at the same time to social and territorial cohesion within the eu while preserving the eib’s triple a rating;


### 7. notes that the eib’s mission is to invest in viable projects that deliver on the eu’s policy objectives according to article 309 of the tfue; stresses that prioritisation within the eib’s lending activities should rest on sustainable projects with clear deliverables , added value and broader positive impacts; ### 7. notes that the eib’s mission is to invest in viable projects that deliver on the eu’s policy objectives according to article 309 of the tfue , especially measures to help regions lagging behind; stresses that prioritisation within the eib’s lending activities should rest on sustainable projects with clear deliverables , added value and broader positive impacts;


### 7. notes that the eib’s mission is to invest in viable projects that deliver on the eu’s policy objectives according to article 309 of the tfue; stresses that prioritisation within the eib’s lending activities should rest on sustainable projects with clear deliverables , added value and broader positive impacts; ### 7. notes that the eib’s mission is to invest in viable projects that deliver on the eu’s policy objectives according to article 309 of the tfue; stresses that prioritisation within the eib’s lending activities should rest on sustainable and viable projects with clear deliverables , added value and broader positive impacts;


### 7. notes that the eib’s mission is to invest in viable projects that deliver on the eu’s policy objectives according to article 309 of the tfue; stresses that prioritisation within the eib’s lending activities should rest on sustainable projects with clear deliverables , added value and broader positive impacts; ### 7. notes that the eib’s mission is to invest in viable projects that deliver on the eu’s policy objectives according to article 309 of the tfue; stresses that prioritisation within the eib’s lending activities should rest on sustainable projects with clear deliverables , added value and broader positive impacts including measures for developing less-developed regions;


### 8. stresses its firm believe that there is a political momentum around turning an ever growing share of eib’s funding for climate and environmental sustainability or so called ‘european climate bank’; calls on this opportunity to be seized by civil society , commission , parliament and shareholders of the bank; stresses that there is a genuine risk of greenwashing and continuing business as usual if urgent action is not undertaken in 2020 to fully align eib’s operations with paris agreement; ### 8. emphasises that there is a political momentum around turning an ever growing share of eib’s funding for climate and environmental sustainability or so called ‘european climate bank’; calls on this opportunity to be seized by civil society , commission , parliament and shareholders of the bank;


### 8. stresses its firm believe that there is a political momentum around turning an ever growing share of eib’s funding for climate and environmental sustainability or so called ‘european climate bank’; calls on this opportunity to be seized by civil society , commission , parliament and shareholders of the bank; stresses that there is a genuine risk of greenwashing and continuing business as usual if urgent action is not undertaken in 2020 to fully align eib’s operations with paris agreement; ### 8. stresses its firm believe that there is a political momentum around turning an ever growing share of eib’s funding for climate and environmental sustainability or so called ‘european climate bank’; calls on this opportunity to be seized by civil society , commission , parliament and shareholders of the bank; stresses that there is a genuine risk of greenwashing and continuing business as usual if urgent action is not undertaken in 2020 to fully align eib’s operations with paris agreement; stresses furthermore that under the new developments , the eib has to continue to support the regional development and eu social and economic cohesion objectives as provided in protocol 28 to the tfeu.


### 9. calls on the eib to focus on smaller , decentralised projects that are often community-owned and further develop the support to the citizens-led initiatives by strengthening technical assistance and financial expertise before project approval , in order to improve accessibility of eib funding and the quality and sustainability of its operations; ### 9. calls on the eib to focus on smaller , decentralised projects that are often community-owned and further develop the support to the citizens-led initiatives by strengthening technical assistance and financial expertise before project approval , in order to improve accessibility of eib funding and the quality and sustainability of its operations; callson this regard for an adequate funding of advisory services in the next multiannual financial framework;


### 10. reiterates its call on the eib to take into account and follow up on opinions , positions and suggestions from local stakeholders including civil society on the impact of investments on the local environment in order to limit avoid or address potentially harmful impacts of projects financed by the eib; ### 10. calls on the eib to take into account local stakeholders including civil society on the impact of investments on the local environment;


### 11. calls on the eib to strengthen its environmental and social safeguards in 2020 though the revision of its environmental and social principles and standards; calls on the eib to ensure that “do-no-harm principle” is applied throughout all of its operations; ### 11. welcomes the revision of the eib's environmental and social framework later this year; calls on the eib to ensure that “do-no-harm principle” is applied throughout all of its operations;


### 13. is of the opinion that the eib should systematically report on mid and long-term economic , social and environmental impacts when defining the rationale of its investment; ### 13. welcomes that the eib systematically reports on economic , social and environmental impacts and provides ex-ante as well as ex-post evaluations of the screening exercise regarding environmental and social impacts;


### the eib’s role in financing the european green deal: towards the “eu climate bank” ### the eib’s role in financing the european green deal


### 14. considers that the eib has an essential role to play in the fight against climate change and to limit global warming to max 1 ,5 degrees through its support of financing the transition to a climate neutral economy by 2050 and the decarbonisation of the eu economy; ### 14. considers that the eib plays an important role in facing climate challenges , such as the global warming and decarbonisation of the eu economy; notes that the eib should follow objectives set by the green deal;


### 15. notes that the total climate investment in 2018 amounted to eur 16 ,2 billion with the main volumes of investments being low carbon energy (eur 6 billion) , renewable energy (eur 4 ,1 billion) and energy efficiency (eur 2 ,7 billion); notes that , in 2018 , 29% of the eib’s lending was climate related; regrets that parallel to this the eib has still financed several projects harmful to the goals of the paris agreement; ### 15. notes that the total climate investment in 2018 amounted to eur 16 ,2 billion with the main volumes of investments being low carbon energy (eur 6 billion) , renewable energy (eur 4 ,1 billion) and energy efficiency (eur 2 ,7 billion); notes that , in 2018 , 29% of the eib’s lending was climate related;


### 16. welcomes the issuing in 2018 of eur 4 billion of climate awareness bonds as well as issuing of eur 500 million of sustainability awareness bonds; stresses the need for a binding eu green bond standard to ensure transparency and tracking of proceeds; ### 16. welcomes the issuing in 2018 of eur 4 billion of climate awareness bonds as well as issuing of eur 500 million of sustainability awareness bonds; stresses the need for an eu green bond standard to ensure transparency and tracking of proceeds;


### 18. stresses that the eib’s ambition to be a key financial pillar in the green deal means the bank needs to step up its efforts to become a genuine “climate bank”; calls on the bank for a detailed roadmap to be drawn up in 2020 following a public consultation process to fully align with the paris agreement; further calls on the bank that such a roadmap defines specific , measurable , attainable , realistic and time-defined targets; ### 18. calls on the eib to draw up a roadmap with specific , measurable , attainable , realistic and time-defined targets with regards to implementation of the paris agreement;


### 18. stresses that the eib’s ambition to be a key financial pillar in the green deal means the bank needs to step up its efforts to become a genuine “climate bank”; calls on the bank for a detailed roadmap to be drawn up in 2020 following a public consultation process to fully align with the paris agreement; further calls on the bank that such a roadmap defines specific , measurable , attainable , realistic and time-defined targets; ### 18. stresses that the eib’s ambition to be a key financial pillar in the green deal means the bank needs to step up its efforts to become a genuine “climate bank”; calls on the bank for a detailed roadmap to be drawn up in 2020 following a public consultation process to fully align with the paris agreement; further calls on the bank that such a roadmap defines specific , measurable , attainable , realistic and time-defined targets; underlines the eib’s activities in support of economic and social cohesion; is concerned that climate targets may increase the difference between regions;


### 19. calls for ambitious commitments to be enshrined in concrete policies; the eib needs to make its commitments an essential part of its corporate operational plan and of its climate strategy , as well as its sectoral lending strategies and safeguard policies; ### 19. welcomes the ambitious commitments of the eib's climate strategy , as well as its sectoral lending strategies and safeguard policies;


### 20. stresses that it is of utmost importance that all eib investments and sectoral portfolios are aligned with paris agreement - including the 50% of the eib’s financing which won’t be focusing on climate and environmental sustainability as such , especially in the economic and financial appraisal of eib projects; ### deleted


### 20. stresses that it is of utmost importance that all eib investments and sectoral portfolios are aligned with paris agreement - including the 50% of the eib’s financing which won’t be focusing on climate and environmental sustainability as such , especially in the economic and financial appraisal of eib projects; ### 20. stresses that it is of utmost importance that all eib investments and sectoral portfolios are aligned with paris agreement


### 21. deplores that the eib in 2018 approved financing for large gas infrastructure projects including gas pipelines to the eu from turkmenistan and azerbaijan (trans anatolia natural gas pipeline) and from greece to italy via albania and the adriatic sea (trans-adriatic pipeline); stresses that these investments will exacerbate the eu’s large excess of gas import capacities , contain a high risk of assets to become stranded and are inconsistent with the emission reductions required by the paris agreement; ### 21. welcomes that the eib in 2018 approved financing for large gas infrastructure projects including gas pipelines to the eu from turkmenistan and azerbaijan (trans anatolia natural gas pipeline) and from greece to italy via albania and the adriatic sea (trans-adriatic pipeline);


### 21. deplores that the eib in 2018 approved financing for large gas infrastructure projects including gas pipelines to the eu from turkmenistan and azerbaijan (trans anatolia natural gas pipeline) and from greece to italy via albania and the adriatic sea (trans-adriatic pipeline); stresses that these investments will exacerbate the eu’s large excess of gas import capacities , contain a high risk of assets to become stranded and are inconsistent with the emission reductions required by the paris agreement; ### 21. notes that the eib in 2018 approved financing for large gas infrastructure projects including gas pipelines to the eu from turkmenistan and azerbaijan (trans anatolia natural gas pipeline) and from greece to italy via albania and the adriatic sea (trans-adriatic pipeline); stresses that these investments are included in the in the 4th list of projects of common interest co-financed with eu budget , projects that are essential for european internal energy market and for reaching the eu's energy policy goals;