Resolution (EU) 2020/1933 of the European Parliament of 14 May 2020 with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) for the financial year 2018
Date: 2020-05-14
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Euratom Supply Agency, budgetary discharge, financial year, general budget (EU)








L_2020417EN.01028801.xml










11.12.2020   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


L 417/288






RESOLUTION (EU) 2020/1933 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
of 14 May 2020
with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) for the financial year 2018
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,






—


having regard to its decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Euratom Supply Agency for the financial year 2018,










—


having regard to Rule 100 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure,










—


having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A9-0056/2020),










A.


whereas, according to its financial statements of revenue and expenditure, the final budget of the Euratom Supply Agency (the ‘Agency’) for the financial year 2018 was EUR 123 000, representing the same amount as in 2017; whereas the entire budget of the Agency derives from the Union budget;










B.


whereas the Court of Auditors (the ‘Court’), in its report on the Agency’s annual accounts for the financial year 2018 (the ‘Court’s report’), stated that it had obtained reasonable assurances that the Agency’s annual accounts are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular;





Budget and financial management









1.


Notes that budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2018 resulted in a commitment appropriations implementation rate of 97,84 % representing a decrease of 1,04 % compared to 2017; notes with concern, however, that the payment appropriation execution rate was 72,90 % representing a decrease of 1,73 % compared to 2017;





Cancellation of carryovers









2.


Raises concerns that the cancellation rate of budget appropriations carried over from 2017 to 2018 is high, at 21 %, demonstrating unjustified commitments in the previous year; calls on the Agency to carry over budget appropriations only when justified;





Performance









3.


Notes that in 2018 the Agency processed 331 transactions, including contracts, amendments and notifications, and continued to take responsibility for the Union common nuclear supply policy in line with its statutory mandate, in order to ensure the security of the supply of nuclear materials; acknowledges the Agency’s continuing efforts on the diversification of sources of supply;












4.


Encourages the Agency to pursue the digitalisation of its services;





Staff policy









5.


Notes that the Agency had 16 members of staff at the end of 2018, all being Commission officials, out of 25 authorised by the establishment plan, the same number as were authorised in 2017;





Other comments









6.


Notes that the United Kingdom has withdrawn from the Union, including Euratom; calls on the Agency to ensure that it remain aware of the effects of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal and that it report to the discharge authority of any developments in that regard;












7.


Calls on the Agency to focus on disseminating the results of its research to the public, and to reach out to public via the social media and other media outlets;












8.


Refers, for other observations of a cross-cutting nature accompanying its decision on discharge, to its resolution of 14 May 2020 (1) on the performance, financial management and control of the agencies.






(1)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2020)0121.