WRITTEN QUESTION P-2456/02 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Alleged mismanagement of funds entrusted to the European Communities.
Date: 2002-08-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European official, accountant, administration of the Institutions, in-service training, job description, personnel administration, professional qualifications

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/21

(2003/C 155 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2456/02

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 August 2002)

Subject: Alleged mismanagement of funds entrusted to the European Communities

Marta Andreasen was Budget Execution Director and Accounting Officer at the European Commission,
a very senior post. According to the relevant legislation, she had full responsibility for the ‘funds entrusted
to the European Communities’. Any allegation made by her of mismanagement is, therefore, extremely
serious.

In the Budgets DG, how many staffed are trained and qualified accountants?

Who is the highest grade accountant in the Commission, and what position does he/she hold?

Who is the current Accounting Officer, and what are his/her qualifications for the post?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

Directorate General Budget (DG BUDG) staff with tasks directly concerning the accounting system and
procedures have relevant educational qualifications, on-the-job experience and/or by in-house training. The
heads of unit in place in the Accounting Department all have a background/education and/or experience in
accounting or economics.

DG Budget has over recent years organised internal training aimed in particular at staff working in the
accounting sector (e.g. ‘General Accounting, module I’, ‘The Commission’s accounting framework’). Such
training is organized regularly several times per year, and open to all staff.

As regards the use of the official accounting system Sincom2, specific training for accounting staff working
in the SAP R/3 module is organized by external consultants whenever demand arises.

The highest grade serving Accountant in the Commission working in the financial area is Mr Jules Muis
(grade A1), Director general of the Internal Audit Service.

Mr Oostens (grade A2) is since 1 September 2002 the Accounting Officer of the Commission. Other more
senior officials have accounting qualifications but are not
in function as accountants. Mr Oostens’
university qualifications are those of a commercial engineer (from the Solvay Business School of the Free
University of Brussels), which qualify him to do accounting work. Mr Oostens’ whole career both in
private business and the Commission has centred around financial management, audit and accounting,
which is why he was selected for this job.

(2003/C 155 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2471/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 September 2002)

Subject: Pension rights

Will the Commission state what EU law covers the jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments
in matrimonial cases and whether this covers the determination of the settlement of property in another
EU jurisdiction, with particular regard to accrued pension rights?

If a court in one Member State orders the division of pension rights accrued in a fund in another Member
State, is there any legal impediment to its being split?