2007 discharge: European Environment Agency EEA

Based on the observations contained in the expenditure account and balance sheet of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2007, as well as on the Court of Auditor’s report and the Agency’s replies to the Court’s observations, the Council recommends that Parliament grant the Executive Director of the Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2007.

In doing so, the Council confirms that EUR 7.2 million (66%) of the appropriations carried over from 2006 to 2007 (EUR 10.8 million) were used, that the appropriations carried over from 2007 to 2008 amount to EUR 5.9 million and that EUR 100 000 was cancelled.

Recalling that the Court of Auditors was able to obtain reasonable assurance that the Agency's annual accounts were reliable in all material respects, the Council considers that the implementation of the 2007 budget calls for a certain number of observations to be taken into account when granting discharge, particularly on the following points:

• implementation of the Financial Regulation: the Council stresses the importance of fully taking into account the implementing rules of the Financial Regulation when establishing grant agreements with third parties. It also urges the Agency to respect strictly the requirements of the Financial Regulation in its procurement activities;
• recruitment: the Council notes the weaknesses in the recruitment procedures and asks the Agency to ensure transparency and equal treatment of candidates.