Date: 2020-12-14Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision (EU) 2020/2046 of the European Parliament of 20 October 2020 on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018, Section VI – European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
Executive Summary:
This is a decision by the European Parliament regarding the discharge for the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018, specifically Section VI concerning the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The decision follows a report from the Committee on Budgetary Control. The key action is the refusal to grant discharge to the Secretary-General of the EESC. The decision was made on October 20, 2020.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Decision:**
* The European Parliament refuses to grant discharge to the Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in respect of the implementation of the EESC's budget for the financial year 2018.
* The observations of the European Parliament are set out in a resolution that forms an integral part of this decision.
* **Instructions:**
* The President of the European Parliament is instructed to forward the decision and its integral resolution to the EESC, the European Council, the Council, the Commission, and the Court of Auditors.
* The President is to arrange for the publication of the decision and resolution in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).
Impact Analysis:
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC):
* Impact: The EESC's Secretary-General is refused discharge for the 2018 budget implementation, reflecting concerns regarding their financial management. The EESC will be subject to observations detailed in the accompanying resolution.
* Action Required: The EESC needs to address the concerns raised in the resolution from the European Parliament, take corrective measures, and likely prepare for increased scrutiny of their financial operations.
European Parliament:
* Impact: The European Parliament exercises its oversight role in budget implementation.
* Action Required: The Parliament, specifically the President, must forward the decision and resolution to relevant bodies and ensure its publication.
European Council, the Council, the Commission, and the Court of Auditors:
* Impact: These institutions are informed of the European Parliament's decision regarding the EESC's budget discharge.
* Action Required: Review the decision and resolution and take any necessary follow-up actions within their respective roles and responsibilities.
Key Entities Referenced
European Parliament: A legislative body of the European Union.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC): A consultative body of the European Union
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties of the European Union, outlining its scope of operations.
Council: A legislative body of the European Union comprising representatives from each member state's government.
Commission: The executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU budget.
Court of Auditors: The European Court of Auditors is one of the institutions of the European Union. It is in charge of auditing EU finances.
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012: A regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.
L 420/16 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e an Union 14.12.2020
DECISION (EU) 2020/2046 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
of 20 October 2020
on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the
financial year 2018, Section VI – European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
— having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018(1),
— having regard to the consolidated annual accounts of the European Union for the financial year 2018 (COM(2019)
316 – C9-0055/2019)(2),
— having regard to the European Economic and Social Committee’s annual report to the discharge authority on internal
audits carried out in 2018,
— having regard to the Court of Auditors’ annual report on the implementation of the budget concerning the financial
year 2018, together with the institutions’ replies(3),
— having regard to the statement of assurance(4) as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the
underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2018, pursuant to Article 287 of the
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
— having regard to its decision of 13 May 2020(5) postponing the discharge decision for the financial year 2018, and the
accompanying resolution,
— having regard to Article 314(10) and Articles 317, 318 and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union,
— having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October
2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC,
Euratom) No 1605/2002(6), and in particular Articles 55, 99, 164, 165 and 166 thereof,
— having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018
on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013,
(EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013,
(EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom)
No 966/2012(7), and in particular Articles 59, 118, 260, 261 and 262 thereof,
— having regard to Rule 100 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure,
— having regard to the second report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A9-0188/2020),
1. Refuses to grant the Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee discharge in respect of the
implementation of the budget of the European Economic and Social Committee for the financial year 2018;
2. Sets out its observations in the resolution below;
3. Instructs its President to forward this decision and the resolution forming an integral part of it to the European
Economic and Social Committee, the European Council, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and
to arrange for their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).
The President The Secretary-General
David Maria SASSOLI Klaus WELLE
(1) OJ L 57, 28.2.2018, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 327, 30.9.2019, p. 1.
(3) OJ C 340, 8.10.2019, p. 1.
(4) OJ C 340, 8.10.2019, p. 9.
(5) Texts adopted, P9_TA(2020)0120.
(6) OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1.
(7) OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1.