Resolution of the European Parliament containing the comments accompanying the decision concerning discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the 2002 financial year — Section VII — Committee of the Regions
Date: 2004-04-21
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, budgetary discharge, financial year, general budget (EU), implementation of the budget

4.11.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 330/153

RESOLUTION

of the European Parliament containing the comments accompanying the decision concerning
discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the
2002 financial year — Section VII — Committee of the Regions

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

— having regard to the revenue and expenditure account and balance sheet for the 2002 financial year

(I5-0034/2003 — C5-0088/2004),

— having regard to the annual report of the European Court of Auditors for the 2002 financial year,

together with the replies of the institutions (C5-0583/2003) (1),

— having regard to the statement of assurance by the European Court of Auditors, pursuant to Article
248 of the EC Treaty, as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the
underlying transactions (C5-0583/2003),

— having regard to the Council's recommendation of 9 March 2004 (C5-0145/2004),

— having regard to Article 272(10) and Article 275 of the EC Treaty,

— having regard to Article 22(2) and (3) of the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977 (2) and

Article 50 of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002 (3),

— having regard to Rule 93 a of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A5-0228/2004),

1. Notes the replies given by the President of the Committee of the Regions on 16 December 2003 to

the questionnaire sent by the Committee on Budgetary Control on 26 November 2003;

2. Notes that in its report concerning the financial year 2002 the Court of Auditors established the

same irregularities as the Anti-Fraud Office (paragraph 9.23);

3.

Points out that Parliament did not grant the Committee of the Regions discharge in respect of
financial management in 2001 until 29 January 2004 (4) and, in the resolution accompanying the
discharge decision, called on the Committee of the Regions ‘to provide a full report on the current
discharge decision in good time for it to be taken into account in the context of the discharge
procedure for the 2002 financial year’ (paragraph 21);

4. Welcomes the setting up of working groups, with the involvement of staff of the institution and an
external advisor, to examine and propose solutions to the various structural, administrative and
financial problems; remains however to be convinced that they will lead to significant improvements
as long as the administrative culture remains the same; points out that, following the example of the
Commission in the Eurostat affair, a root and branch overhaul of senior management, working
methods and respect for internal audit is essential to create a climate of reform and renewal;

5. Awaits confirmation that the Committee has strengthened its internal audit unit with the A 7 and B
5 posts agreed by Parliament and seeks a justification for any further delay in recruitment
procedures;

(1) OJ C 286, 28.11.2003, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 356, 31.12.1977, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 57, 25.2.2004, p. 8.

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6.

7.

Expresses its general surprise at the dismissal of the OLAF findings and recommendations and
suggests that real reform can only begin by acknowledging past mistakes and weaknesses;

Notes that the European Parliament in its resolution on the Committee of the Regions (1) was very
critical of the Institution; deplores the treatment of the Financial Controller, as stated in the OLAF
report;

8. Notes that, on 17 February 2004, the President of the Committee of the Regions forwarded a work
plan on administrative reform to the committee chairman and rapporteur which must be
implemented over the next few months; points out at this early juncture that implementation of the
measures will be verified during the budget discharge procedure for 2003; points out that
improvements must be introduced in such a way that the progress achieved can be gauged;

9.

Thanks the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Committee of the Regions for
the progress report of 26 June 2003 (2) on renovating the Belliard Building, according to which it
will be handed over on 31 May 2004;

10. Criticises the Committee of the Regions for failing to replace the staff of the Financial Controller or

to give him the necessary information to carry out an audit report in 2002;

11. Notes with satisfaction that the Committee of the Regions will take over the standard decision on the
conditions and arrangements for internal investigations to combat fraud, corruption and other
unlawful actions harmful to the Communities' interests;

12. Asks the Committee of the Regions to take the necessary steps to ensure the total independence of

the Internal Auditor;

13. Welcomes in this connection the Bureau's decision of 10 February 2004 to bring its ‘whistleblowing’
provisions into line with rules currently in force in the Commission which make it possible for
officials to turn to a body outside their Institution, so as to ensure that their anonymity remains
intact;

14. Notes that such a doctrine is only truly effective if staff members are aware of it; encourages the

Committee of Regions to ensure that this information is freely available to its staff;

15. Points out that on 18 November 2003 the President of the Committee of the Regions called on the
acting Secretary-General to clarify whether disciplinary proceedings ought to be instituted against
staff; criticises the fact that, on the one hand, the administrative inquiry is not to be concluded until
April, but that, on the other, the Administration has already been able to establish that the Internal
Auditor has not been intimidated or harassed at all;

16. Recalls Parliament's abovementioned resolution of 29 January 2004 and paragraph 22 thereof in
particular, which stresses that the President of the Committee of the Regions must ensure that the
office and person of the Internal Auditor are respected and that his advice and counsel are taken
seriously;

(1)
(2)

Texts adopted, 29 January 2004, P5_TA(2004) 0048.
Note to the Committee on Budgetary Control, Belliard Building progress report, 26 June 2003.

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17. Notes that the Committee of the Regions introduced a new staff policy in 2003; will return to this in

its discharge report for the 2003 financial year;

18. Notes that the Committee of the Regions spent some EUR 100 000 on studies in 2002; asks how the
topics were selected and to what use the studies were put; asks whether an assessment was made of
their usefulness.