natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The annual meeting organised by the committee on Budgets with the representatives of twenty three decentralised agencies will take place on 15 June 2005 in the European Parliament in Brussels.
The annual meeting organised by the committee on Budgets with the representatives of twenty three decentralised agencies will take place on 15 June 2005 in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Parliament's General rapporteurs for the Budget 2006 and 2005 as well as the committee's standing rapporteur for the agencies will be present.
Parliament's General rapporteurs for the Budget 2006 and 2005 as well as the committee's standing rapporteur for the agencies will be present.
Five agencies existed in 1995 and twenty three agencies are numbered in the PDP for 2006.
Five agencies existed in 1995 and twenty three agencies are numbered in the PDP for 2006.
The European Parliament had anticipated this development by strengthening the political and budgetary control over the agencies, mainly through the recasting of the Financial Regulation.
The European Parliament had anticipated this development by strengthening the political and budgetary control over the agencies, mainly through the recasting of the Financial Regulation.
European Parliament has been particularly concerned by the constant growth of agencies over the last budgetary procedures, not as such, but in a global context.
European Parliament has been particularly concerned by the constant growth of agencies over the last budgetary procedures, not as such, but in a global context.
The decision by the Budgetary Authority to allocate an amount of EUR 40 million from the flexibility instrument to Heading 3 in the Budget 2005 highlights the problem for the next financial perspective.
The decision by the Budgetary Authority to allocate an amount of EUR 40 million from the flexibility instrument to Heading 3 in the Budget 2005 highlights the problem for the next financial perspective.
This joint debate with the committee on Budgetary Control provides a good opportunity for Members of both committees to consider developments from a budgetary point of view and to get "feed back" on the situation of the Agencies in advance of the work that will be carried out in the forthcoming budgetary and discharge procedures.
This joint debate with the committee on Budgetary Control provides a good opportunity for Members of both committees to consider developments from a budgetary point of view and to get "feed back" on the situation of the Agencies in advance of the work that will be carried out in the forthcoming budgetary and discharge procedures.
The meeting is also held in the presence of budget draftsmen and - women of EP's specialised committees, thus offering input that can be complementary to the budget perspective.
The meeting is also held in the presence of budget draftsmen and - women of EP's specialised committees, thus offering input that can be complementary to the budget perspective.
Participants will find in the meeting dossier four reference documents
Participants will find in the meeting dossier four reference documents
prepared by the Budgetary Support Service giving a detailed overview on the global PDB 2006 figures (Annex I), complementary information, provided by the European Commission in the PDB 2006 and the agencies themselves (Annex II), Resolutions on Agencies and requests made to them in the framework of the discharge procedure 2003 (Annex III), as well as specific figures concerning the agencies establishment plans and their individual budgets (Annex IV).
prepared by the Budgetary Support Service giving a detailed overview on the global PDB 2006 figures (Annex I), complementary information, provided by the European Commission in the PDB 2006 and the agencies themselves (Annex II), Resolutions on Agencies and requests made to them in the framework of the discharge procedure 2003 (Annex III), as well as specific figures concerning the agencies establishment plans and their individual budgets (Annex IV).
Over the past years, this meeting has provided for an exchange of views on horizontal matters concerning the agencies and specific issues agencies want to raise, e.g. to discuss issues related to the follow-up of the 2005 budget, the agencies' work programmes and staffing needs and to have an exchange of views on the preliminary draft budget (PDB) for 2006.
Over the past years, this meeting has provided for an exchange of views on horizontal matters concerning the agencies and specific issues agencies want to raise, e.g. to discuss issues related to the follow-up of the 2005 budget, the agencies' work programmes and staffing needs and to have an exchange of views on the preliminary draft budget (PDB) for 2006.
According to their founding regulations, the agencies have adopted their provisional budgets and work programmes which were communicated to the Commission before 31 March in view of the adoption of the preliminary draft budget.
According to their founding regulations, the agencies have adopted their provisional budgets and work programmes which were communicated to the Commission before 31 March in view of the adoption of the preliminary draft budget.
Therefore, the timing allows for a consideration of the agencies' requests against the decision taken by the Commission in the PDB.
Therefore, the timing allows for a consideration of the agencies' requests against the decision taken by the Commission in the PDB.
The context of the Budget 2006
The context of the Budget 2006
It should be remembered that the Budget 2005 already provided for five new agencies; three of them had a "pour mémoire", because the legal bases were not adopted before the end of the year.
It should be remembered that the Budget 2005 already provided for five new agencies; three of them had a "pour mémoire", because the legal bases were not adopted before the end of the year.
The total amount (subsidy) entered in the PDB 2006 for the 23 "traditional" (non-executive) decentralised agencies represents EUR 577,251 million, i.e. an increase of EUR 38,683 million over Budget 2005, i.e. + 7,2 %, compared to the average increase in the PDB of + 4,0 %.
The total amount (subsidy) entered in the PDB 2006 for the 23 "traditional" (non-executive) decentralised agencies represents EUR 577,251 million, i.e. an increase of EUR 38,683 million over Budget 2005, i.e. + 7,2 %, compared to the average increase in the PDB of + 4,0 %.
Amounts of European Commission's subsidies to Agencies (2000 -2006)
Amounts of European Commission's subsidies to Agencies (2000 -2006)
More detailed tables concerning amounts in Budget 2005 and PDB 2006 can be found in annex I to this Working Document, broken down by budget line and agency.
More detailed tables concerning amounts in Budget 2005 and PDB 2006 can be found in annex I to this Working Document, broken down by budget line and agency.
As mentioned above, point 2, in 2005 budget procedure, EUR 40 million was obtained in fresh money in heading 3 of the Financial Perspective.
As mentioned above, point 2, in 2005 budget procedure, EUR 40 million was obtained in fresh money in heading 3 of the Financial Perspective.
Including these EUR 40 million, the agencies accounted for 2,69 % of the total of heading 3.
Including these EUR 40 million, the agencies accounted for 2,69 % of the total of heading 3.
In PDB 2006, the agencies account for 3,15 % of the total.
In PDB 2006, the agencies account for 3,15 % of the total.
Although it is true that there is a limited margin in the PDB 2006 of EUR 166,64 million, the increase of agencies is again high and needs to be discussed with the agencies themselves and with the Commission.
Although it is true that there is a limited margin in the PDB 2006 of EUR 166,64 million, the increase of agencies is again high and needs to be discussed with the agencies themselves and with the Commission.
This is particularly important as there are other great financing needs in heading 3, notably actions in the framework of the Lisbon Strategy and other political priorities of EP.
This is particularly important as there are other great financing needs in heading 3, notably actions in the framework of the Lisbon Strategy and other political priorities of EP.
The rapporteurs consider a great need to have more transparency as concerns the net results of decentralized tasks for agencies.
The rapporteurs consider a great need to have more transparency as concerns the net results of decentralized tasks for agencies.
They do recognize the importance of the agencies' tasks and have supported these policies.
They do recognize the importance of the agencies' tasks and have supported these policies.
Nevertheless, a clearer picture of how the work is actually transferred to the agencies and the resources that are consequently liberated within the European Commission is needed.
Nevertheless, a clearer picture of how the work is actually transferred to the agencies and the resources that are consequently liberated within the European Commission is needed.
The committee on Budgets has consistently called for clear policies and safeguard to avoid duplication of tasks (and multiplication of costs).
The committee on Budgets has consistently called for clear policies and safeguard to avoid duplication of tasks (and multiplication of costs).
This is of course valid also for staffing and building costs.
This is of course valid also for staffing and building costs.
For the time being, and more precisely in the context of the 2006 budgetary procedure, the specialised committees of the European Parliament are invited to set up priorities within the policy areas of their competencies.
For the time being, and more precisely in the context of the 2006 budgetary procedure, the specialised committees of the European Parliament are invited to set up priorities within the policy areas of their competencies.
This is particularly the case since the existing margin is very limited considering that the Lisbon strategy priority is not receiving a clear boost in the PDB 2006.
This is particularly the case since the existing margin is very limited considering that the Lisbon strategy priority is not receiving a clear boost in the PDB 2006.
Concerning staff
Concerning staff
Agencies participate in Community policies and carry out tasks of public authority under the responsibility of the Commission but on a decentralised basis, as defined by articles 53, 54 par.2, lit a) and 185 of the Financial Regulation.
Agencies participate in Community policies and carry out tasks of public authority under the responsibility of the Commission but on a decentralised basis, as defined by articles 53, 54 par.2, lit a) and 185 of the Financial Regulation.
To do so, each agency has its own structure located in one of the Member States.
To do so, each agency has its own structure located in one of the Member States.
The rapporteurs repeat what was said in earlier occasions, that contrary to the case of the Commission itself, agencies' staff (title 1) and buildings (title 2) are financed under heading 3 (or 4) of the Financial Perspective although they are purely administrative expenditure.
The rapporteurs repeat what was said in earlier occasions, that contrary to the case of the Commission itself, agencies' staff (title 1) and buildings (title 2) are financed under heading 3 (or 4) of the Financial Perspective although they are purely administrative expenditure.
Comparing the establishment plans for 2004 and 2005, rapporteurs notice an increase of 487 posts, i.e. an increase of 21%
Comparing the establishment plans for 2004 and 2005, rapporteurs notice an increase of 487 posts, i.e. an increase of 21%
figures provided by Budgetary Support Service, Annex I, Table 3 .
figures provided by Budgetary Support Service, Annex I, Table 3 .
In 2013, a total of 3840 posts might be allocated to all agencies.
In 2013, a total of 3840 posts might be allocated to all agencies.
Council has always been in favour of creating new agencies, especially the ones that implement EU legislation, since Member States are represented on their management boards.
Council has always been in favour of creating new agencies, especially the ones that implement EU legislation, since Member States are represented on their management boards.
Such involvement also increases the Member States' influence over the EU budget, as they delegate tasks run within Community programmes (networks, studies etc.) to agencies which are partially or totally funded by the EU Budget, thus increasing the risk of inter-governmental influence on common policies.
Such involvement also increases the Member States' influence over the EU budget, as they delegate tasks run within Community programmes (networks, studies etc.) to agencies which are partially or totally funded by the EU Budget, thus increasing the risk of inter-governmental influence on common policies.
Finally, Member States regularly “apply” to get the seat of a newly created agency.
Finally, Member States regularly “apply” to get the seat of a newly created agency.
The rapporteurs stress that national considerations must not lead to the creation of new agencies.
The rapporteurs stress that national considerations must not lead to the creation of new agencies.
Creating new agencies should exclusively respond to operational needs in order to improve the management of the activities of the Union.
Creating new agencies should exclusively respond to operational needs in order to improve the management of the activities of the Union.
see also resolution on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013, P6_TA-PROV(2005)0224 -8 June 2005, point 39
see also resolution on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013, P6_TA-PROV(2005)0224 -8 June 2005, point 39
The rapporteurs insist that the de-centralized European agencies are European organisations and the nationality of staff should respect a geographical balance.
The rapporteurs insist that the de-centralized European agencies are European organisations and the nationality of staff should respect a geographical balance.
In order to achieve an appropriate mix of geographical, gender, statuary and age amongst the agencies personnel, rapporteurs are calling on the agencies and the Commission to develop a proper career policy and to create a career profile for the agencies on the basis of an analysis that the Commission provides.
In order to achieve an appropriate mix of geographical, gender, statuary and age amongst the agencies personnel, rapporteurs are calling on the agencies and the Commission to develop a proper career policy and to create a career profile for the agencies on the basis of an analysis that the Commission provides.
They expect Council to agree on a rigorous approach in a similar way to that usually done for the Institutions (co-operation of the agencies with EPSO).
They expect Council to agree on a rigorous approach in a similar way to that usually done for the Institutions (co-operation of the agencies with EPSO).
Staff requirements should be based on the principles set up in the staff regulation and should also take on board the agencies' specificity.
Staff requirements should be based on the principles set up in the staff regulation and should also take on board the agencies' specificity.
The agencies are invited to give the breakdown of their staff by nationality in order to assess the respect of this principle.
The agencies are invited to give the breakdown of their staff by nationality in order to assess the respect of this principle.
Concerning locations and buildings
Concerning locations and buildings
The rapporteurs recall that at the trialogue of 18 March 2003, when an agreement was found between EP and the Council on the agencies' founding regulations, the following statement was agreed:
The rapporteurs recall that at the trialogue of 18 March 2003, when an agreement was found between EP and the Council on the agencies' founding regulations, the following statement was agreed:
"the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission would point out that the budget of the bodies referred to in article 185 of the Financial Regulation may include a financial contribution from the host Member State".
"the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission would point out that the budget of the bodies referred to in article 185 of the Financial Regulation may include a financial contribution from the host Member State ".
Work programme: need for strengthening political control
Work programme: need for strengthening political control
EP standing committees should confirm their agreement on the work programmes of the agencies for the year 2006.
EP standing committees should confirm their agreement on the work programmes of the agencies for the year 2006.
In view of formalising the political control over the agencies and to ensure that they reflect EP's political priorities, the rapporteurs wish to renew the suggestion made in earlier years that the specialised committees inform the committee on Budgets annually about their evaluation of the work programmes of the agencies under their competencies.
In view of formalising the political control over the agencies and to ensure that they reflect EP's political priorities, the rapporteurs wish to renew the suggestion made in earlier years that the specialised committees inform the committee on Budgets annually about their evaluation of the work programmes of the agencies under their competencies.
This regular reporting could be part of the justification of their amendments.
This regular reporting could be part of the justification of their amendments.
Implementation aspects - Budget 2005
Implementation aspects - Budget 2005
It seems that because of the principles of new governance, providing for the Commission to focus on its core tasks, activities which require technical expertise will be more and more delegated to external bodies:decentralised agencies, regulatory agencies, executive agencies.
It seems that because of the principles of new governance, providing for the Commission to focus on its core tasks, activities which require technical expertise will be more and more delegated to external bodies:decentralised agencies, regulatory agencies, executive agencies.
In the past, EP has always given its support for the creation of new agencies under strict conditions of political and budgetary control, according to the provisions of the Financial Regulation and through the code of conduct for the creation of executive agencies (Amending Budget N°6/2004).
In the past, EP has always given its support for the creation of new agencies under strict conditions of political and budgetary control, according to the provisions of the Financial Regulation and through the code of conduct for the creation of executive agencies (Amending Budget N°6/2004).
But it has increasingly been concerned by the constant growth of agencies over the last budgetary procedures.
But it has increasingly been concerned by the constant growth of agencies over the last budgetary procedures.
The decision by the Budgetary Authority to allocate an amount of EUR 40 million from the flexibility instrument to Heading 3 in the Budget 2005, underlines the problem.
The decision by the Budgetary Authority to allocate an amount of EUR 40 million from the flexibility instrument to Heading 3 in the Budget 2005, underlines the problem.
EP's efforts to ensure political and budgetary control over the decentralised agencies continued and will continue over the next procedures (see paragraphs 7, 8, 9, 10 of the second reading resolution 2005
EP's efforts to ensure political and budgetary control over the decentralised agencies continued and will continue over the next procedures (see paragraphs 7, 8, 9, 10 of the second reading resolution 2005
P6_TA(2004)0103 , 16 December 2004 ):
P6_TA(2004)0103 , 16 December 2004 ):
- Council was called upon to recognise fully the consequences of the ever greater share of heading 3 taken up by the decentralised agencies
- Council was called upon to recognise fully the consequences of the ever greater share of heading 3 taken up by the decentralised agencies
- EP called on its Committee on Budgets to maintain its vigilance with respect to other political priorities for the coming years
- EP called on its Committee on Budgets to maintain its vigilance with respect to other political priorities for the coming years
Concerning information aspects of the Financial Regulation, the rapporteurs repeat that not all the agencies or the Commission inform the European Parliament sufficiently, neither about the adoption of their final budget due to take place after the adoption of the EU budget (EP second reading) when modified against the provisional budget nor about the internal transfers (including staff) made between operational and administrative appropriations authorised within the limit of 10 % (Article 22 of the FR)
Concerning information aspects of the Financial Regulation, the rapporteurs repeat that not all the agencies or the Commission inform the European Parliament sufficiently, neither about the adoption of their final budget due to take place after the adoption of the EU budget (EP second reading) when modified against the provisional budget nor about the internal transfers (including staff) made between operational and administrative appropriations authorised within the limit of 10 % (Article 22 of the FR)
Discharge for the year 2003
Discharge for the year 2003
points 23. to 27. and Annex III have been prepared under the responsibility of COCOBU secretariat with the assistance of the Budgetary Support Service
points 23. to 27. and Annex III have been prepared under the responsibility of COCOBU secretariat with the assistance of the Budgetary Support Service
Under the Financial Regulation (as of 2003) Parliament is competent for giving discharge to the Directors of the Agencies which receive funds charged to the EU budget.
Under the Financial Regulation (as of 2003) Parliament is competent for giving discharge to the Directors of the Agencies which receive funds charged to the EU budget.
In 2005, the Committee on Budgetary Control
In 2005, the Committee on Budgetary Control
(Ayala /Schlyter report on the discharge to the Agencies for the financial year 2003 - A6-0074/2005 ) confirmed Parliament's view that there was a need for a "horizontal approach" to a number of issues concerning the agencies.
(Ayala /Schlyter report on the discharge to the Agencies for the financial year 2003 - A6-0074/2005 ) confirmed Parliament's view that there was a need for a "horizontal approach" to a number of issues concerning the agencies.
The committee expanded on work already initiated in the two previous discharge exercises and fine-tuned its recommendations common to all agencies in its resolutions accompanying discharge.
The committee expanded on work already initiated in the two previous discharge exercises and fine-tuned its recommendations common to all agencies in its resolutions accompanying discharge.
Parliament approved the report AYALA SENDER/SCHLYTER giving discharge to 14 Agencies for 2003.
Parliament approved the report AYALA SENDER/SCHLYTER giving discharge to 14 Agencies for 2003.
In the resolutions accompanying the discharge decisions, both "horizontal matters" i.e. points applying to all the Agencies and issues specifically concerning particular agencies are dealt with.
In the resolutions accompanying the discharge decisions, both "horizontal matters" i.e. points applying to all the Agencies and issues specifically concerning particular agencies are dealt with.
for details, see annex III to this Working Document.
for details, see annex III to this Working Document.
This approach involved issues related to:
This approach involved issues related to:
- the implementation by the agencies of the new financial rules in accordance with the Financial Regulation.
- the implementation by the agencies of the new financial rules in accordance with the Financial Regulation.
- the series of observations/recommendations put forward by the European Court of Auditors in its specific reports on the agencies.
- the series of observations/recommendations put forward by the European Court of Auditors in its specific reports on the agencies.