Date: 2019-09-27Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Resolution (EU, Euratom) 2019/1513 of the European Parliament of 26 March 2019 with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Euratom Supply Agency for the financial year 2017
Executive Summary:
This resolution of the European Parliament concerns the discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Euratom Supply Agency for the financial year 2017. It acknowledges the Agency's financial management and performance, including budget execution rates and transaction processing. The resolution also addresses the UK's intention to withdraw from the Union and its implications for nuclear safeguards and cooperation agreements, requesting the Agency to monitor and report on developments.
Key Points / Main Content:
Budget and Financial Management:
* The Agency's final budget for 2017 was EUR 123,000, a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to 2016, entirely derived from the Union budget.
* The Court of Auditors provided reasonable assurance that the Agency’s annual accounts are reliable and transactions are legal and regular.
* The commitment appropriations execution rate was 98.88%, an increase compared to 2016.
* The payment appropriation execution rate was 74.64%, a decrease compared to 2016.
* Cancellation of carryovers from 2016 to 2017 amounted to EUR 148.09, representing 1.44% of the total amount carried over.
Performance:
* The Agency processed 320 transactions in 2017 and continued to ensure the security of the supply of nuclear materials.
* Acknowledges the Agency's continuing efforts on the diversification of sources of supply.
Staff Policy:
* The Agency had 17 staff members at the end of 2017, all Commission Officials, out of 25 authorized.
Brexit Implications:
* Notes the UK's intention to withdraw from the Union, including Euratom.
* Upon withdrawal, the UK will be solely responsible for its international obligations, including establishing its nuclear safeguards regime and negotiating bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements.
Crosscutting Observations:
* Refers to resolution of 26 March 2019 on the performance, financial management and control of the agencies for other observations of a crosscutting nature accompanying its decision on discharge.
Impact Analysis:
Euratom Supply Agency:
* Impact: Required to maintain awareness of the UK's withdrawal and its implications for nuclear supply and safeguards; continuing efforts to diversify sources of supply.
* Action Required: Report to the discharge authority on any developments regarding the UK's withdrawal and its impact on the Agency's operations.
United Kingdom:
* Impact: Will assume sole responsibility for compliance with international obligations related to nuclear materials and safeguards upon withdrawal from Euratom.
* Action Required: Establish its own nuclear safeguards regime and negotiate bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements with nations currently covered by Euratom agreements.
European Parliament (Discharge Authority):
* Impact: Receives reports from the Euratom Supply Agency regarding developments related to the UK's withdrawal and its impact on the Agency.
* Action Required: Review reports from the Agency and take appropriate action based on the information provided.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
European Parliament: The parliamentary body of the European Union, directly elected by EU citizens.
Euratom Supply Agency: An agency of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) responsible for ensuring a regular and equitable supply of nuclear materials to users in the Community.
Court of Auditors: The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is the institution of the European Union (EU) established to audit EU finances.
United Kingdom: A country in Europe that was formerly part of the European Union.
Euratom: The European Atomic Energy Community is an international organisation established by the Euratom Treaty in 1957 with the purpose of creating a specialist market for nuclear power in Europe.
International Atomic Energy Agency: An international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
Committee on Budgetary Control: A committee of the European Parliament responsible for overseeing the implementation of the EU budget and ensuring financial accountability.
L 249/282 EN Official Journal of the European Union 27.9.2019
RESOLUTION (EU, Euratom) 2019/1513 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
of 26 March 2019
with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the
implementation of the budget of the Euratom Supply Agency for the financial year 2017
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 2017,
— having regard to Rule 94 of and Annex IV to its Rules of Procedure,
— having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A8-0132/2019),
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 2017 was EUR 123 000, representing a slight decrease of 1,6 %
compared to 2016; 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
2017 (the ‘Court's report’), has stated that it has 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 with satisfaction that budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2017 resulted in a commitment
appropriations execution rate of 98,88 %, representing an increase of 4,54 % compared to 2016; notes with
concern, however, that the payment appropriation execution rate was 74,64 %, representing a decrease of 11,48 %
compared to 2016;
Cancellation of carryovers
2. Welcomes the fact that the cancellation of carryovers from 2016 to 2017 amounted to EUR 148,09 representing
1,44 % of the total amount carried over, and a decrease of 2,07 % in comparison to 2016;
Performance
3. Notes from the Agency that in 2017 it processed 320 transactions, including contracts, amendments and notifi
cations, 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;
Staff policy
4. Notes that the Agency had 17 staff at the end of 2017, all being Commission Officials, out of 25 authorised by the
establishment plan, the same as in 2016;
Other comments
5. Notes that the United Kingdom (UK) submitted its intention to withdraw from the Union, including Euratom; notes
that from the withdrawal date, the UK will have sole responsibility for ensuring compliance with its international
obligations arising from its membership in the International Atomic Energy Agency and from various international
treaties and conventions to which it is a party; observes in particular that the UK must establish its own nuclear
safeguards regime and negotiate bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements with the various nations now covered by
Euratom agreements; calls on the Agency to remain aware and up-to-date of the situation and report to the
discharge authority of any developments in that regard;
6. Refers, for other observations of a cross-cutting nature accompanying its decision on discharge, to its resolution of
26 March 2019 (1) on the performance, financial management and control of the agencies.
(1) Texts adopted, P8_TA(2019)0254. See page 361 of this Official Journal.