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2011 discharge: European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust)

2012/2191(DEC)

The European Parliament adopted a decision on discharge to be granted to the Director of Eurojust in respect of the implementation of the budget of Eurojust for the financial year 2011.

The vote on the decision to grant discharge covers the closure of the accounts (in accordance with Annex VI, Article 5(1) of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure).

Noting that the Court of Auditors stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the annual accounts of Eurojust for the financial year 2011 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament adopted a resolution containing 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 draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

  • Financing, budget and financial management: Parliament recalls that the budget of Eurojust for the financial year 2011 was EUR 31.358 million, which represents a decrease of 2.91% compared to 2010. The balance for the outturn account for Eurojust in 2011 was positive, totalling EUR 2.5 million.
  • Implementation rate of appropriations: Parliament acknowledges that the payments execution ratio was 58% in 2011 and calls on Eurojust to inform the discharge authority of the actions taken to address that deficiency as the low execution ratio indicates difficulties in the planning or implementation of Eurojust activities. Members deplore the high level of carry-overs to 2012 (16% of total payment appropriations). They call on Eurojust to inform the discharge authority of the actions taken to address that deficiency as its level is excessive and at odds with the principle of annuality.
  • Premises: Parliament takes note that from the 2011 Eurojust Annual Activity Report (AAR) that an agreement was reached with the Netherlands, as host Member State, for the new Eurojust premises in 2015.

Lastly, Parliament made a series of observations as regards the accounting system, transfers as well as the recruitment procedures of this Agency.