2009 discharge: Euratom Supply Agency ESA

The European Parliament adopted by 528 votes to 79, with 36 abstentions a decision to grant discharge to the Director-General of the Euratom Supply Agency for implementation of the Agency's budget for the financial year 2009.

Noting that the Agency’s annual accounts for the financial year 2009 are reliable, and the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament approves the closure of the Agency’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):

Parliament notes that, in 2009, the Agency did not receive any subsidy to cover its operations and that the Commission bore all expenses incurred by the Agency for the implementation of the 2009 budget; notes that this situation has persisted since the creation of the Agency in 2008. In the absence of an autonomous budget, the Agency is de facto integrated into the Commission. Parliament points out, nevertheless, that this situation is at odds with the Agency's Statutes and that it raises the issue of the need to maintain the Agency in its current form and organisation. It notes, however, the Agency's reply explaining that the present situation reflects the balance between, on the one hand, a clear relationship with the Commission (for example the Commission may issue directives and it appoints the Director-General of the Agency) and, on the other hand, a degree of legal and financial autonomy (for example, the Agency co-signs all commercial contracts related to the procurement of nuclear materials, which allows it to ensure that the policy on diversification of the sources of supply is applied) and that, furthermore, this balance is in accordance with the Euratom Treaty;

Parliament notes that the Director-General acknowledges the problem and has detailed the initial actions taken as requested by the discharge authority. Parliament calls on the Director-General to keep the discharge authority informed on further steps taken and progress made.