2009 discharge: European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit EUROJUST

The European Parliament adopted by 530 votes to 85, with 31 abstentions a decision on discharge to be granted to the Administrative Director of EUROJUST for implementation of the Agency's budget for the financial year 2009.

Noting that EUROJUST’s annual accounts for the financial year 2009 are reliable, and the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament approves the closure of EUROJUST’s accounts. However, it makes a number of recommendations that need to be taken into account when the discharge is granted (in addition to the general recommendations that appear in the resolution on financial management and control of EU agencies - see DEC/2010/2271):

• carryover of appropriations: Parliament notes with satisfaction that the Court of Auditors did not make any observations regarding the level of carryover or cancellation of appropriations for 2009. It calls on EUROJUST to keep the discharge authority informed on the measures taken to avoid the carryover of appropriations, an issue that was the subject of debate in each of the previous discharge procedures;
• improvement in procurement procedures: Parliament congratulates EUROJUST for establishing measures to estimate the market value of relevant products/services before commencing a procurement procedure. This initiative represents an important practice that should be adopted by other agencies. It welcomes, in addition, the Agency’s annual procurement plan for 2009;
• human resources: noting shortcomings in the planning and implementation of recruitment procedures, Parliament calls on the Agency to set up a comprehensive recruitment action plan to significantly reduce the vacancy rate. It acknowledges that the Agency launched its new recruitment procedure in 2009 but expresses concern that three out of six middle management (Head of Unit) posts were filled on a temporary basis by “acting” staff members (which indicates difficulties in attracting and retaining the right staff). However, it welcomes measures taken by EUROJUST to improve candidate selection procedures.