2007 discharge: European Aviation Safety Agency EASA

The European Parliament adopted by 582 votes to 32, with 21 abstentions, a decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Aviation Safety Agency for the financial year 2007. The decision to grant discharge is also an approval of the closure of the accounts of this EU agency.

Furthermore, the Parliament adopted a resolution with observations which are an integral part of the decision to grant discharge.

The Parliament notes anomalies in the Agency’s 2007 establishment as well as the imbalance between costs and revenue highlighted in the previous discharge resolution, which triggered a need to reduce the planned number of staff by 25%, from 467 to a maximum of 342. In this context, the Parliament expects the Agency to provide information on how far a balance between costs and revenue in relation to certification activities could be achieved through implementation of the new fees and charges regulation.

Furthermore, the Parliament firmly supports the European Court of Auditors’ (ECA) recommendation that the Agency carefully check the consistency of its expenditure forecasts. It notes that the ECA and the Agency disagree over the calculation of an amount of EUR 14.9 million in assigned revenue received by the Agency in 2007 to cover future certification costs, as well as criticism regarding procurement procedures (in particular, a lack of transparency). The Parliament therefore calls on the Agency to stick to the promise given in its replies to comply strictly with the procurement rules and to pay particular attention to the provision of clear information to potential bidders.

Moreover, the Parliament calls on the Commission to ensure that the Agency maintains strict financial discipline in the future and always works within the agreed budgets.

Lastly, noting that the Agency’s annual accounts for the financial year 2007 are reliable, and the underlying transactions are legal and regular, the Parliament approves the closure of the Agency’s accounts and refers, for other observations accompanying its decision on discharge, to its resolution on financial management and control of EU agencies - see 2008/2207(INI) - adopted in parallel.