Debate: Discharge
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MAY 2023
Speaker: Mikuláš Peksa
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

The year 2021 remained a challenging one, with the pandemic still requiring crisis response and adoption of working conditions. I am glad that all the other institutions, as they are called, managed to achieve high budget implementation, maintain and ensure full business continuity, switch to digital solutions, secure their network, improve remote working conditions and carry on recruitments.  I also recognise the challenges those institutions were facing, mostly when it comes to lack of sufficient resources to deliver fully on their respective missions. For the Luxembourg-based institutions, the additional challenge remains the correlation coefficient, which hampers their attractiveness in comparison to the private sector.  As this year’s rapporteur, I highlighted a number of recommendations for the future, especially concerning: performance under the modified working regime; sustainability and environmental impact of the institutions and long-term ecological strategies; digitalisation and cybersecurity, particularly given the high increase in use of IT tools and remote working conditions; ethical framework and transparency, particularly with regard to prevention of harassment and conflict of interests; and gender and geographical balance.  This year was the first discharge of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Although the EPPO has become fully operational only in the middle of 2021, they have already demonstrated a successful track record of effectiveness. The EPPO’s mission is crucial to protect the EU’s budget and recover defrauded funds. What negatively affects its operation is the fact that five Member States still refuse to participate in its activities, namely Hungary, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland. I note with satisfaction the improved cooperation with the European Court of Auditors and welcome the efforts of the new management aimed at improving the internal processes, strengthening the code of conduct and improving stakeholder relations. ECA is a key partner for the European Parliament. I welcome the efforts by the Committee of the Regions in strengthening their code of conduct, promoting their work and achievement in the field of sustainability and green agenda. The Committee of the Regions achieved the best results in terms of sustainability and switching to environmentally friendly infrastructure. I also want to highlight the important role of the Ombudsman, Court of Justice and Data Protection Supervisor that they play in ensuring transparency and accountability, even more during the digital transition. In particular, I welcome their increased attention to the field of cybersecurity and their efforts to use and promote decentralised, free and open-source social network alternatives to the very large online platforms for communicating their activities.  I note the internal reforms adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee, and I am satisfied with the improved communication and cooperation with the European Parliament. However, my report stresses the need for culture reforms in the institution and more timely reactions to staff compliance and well-being. It is not acceptable that requests for assistance by staff members take more than three-and-a-half years to be handled. As we have been currently living in the new reality of war taking place at our borders and diplomatic efforts play a crucial role, it is important to recognise the work done by the European External Action Service. We need to evaluate the situation of the many delegations, with particular emphasis on the budget effectiveness regarding security and communication.  Finally, I deeply regret that yet again, the Council and the European Council refused to participate in the discharge procedure. I also tabled a new amendment highlighting the recent scandal of extensive use of private jets, even for short travels, and all the negative implications this phenomenon presents.  I hope all the political groups will be able to support my recommendations for the sound management of the so-called other institutions.