2012 discharge: SESAR Joint Undertaking to develop the new generation European air traffic management system

Having examined the revenue and expenditure accounts for the financial year 2012 and the balance sheet at 31 December 2012 of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, and the report by the Court of Auditors on the annual accounts of the Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2012, accompanied by the Joint Undertaking's replies to the Court's observations, the Council recommends the European Parliament to give a discharge to the Executive Director of the Joint Undertaking in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2012.

The observations in the Court of Auditors' report in relation to the financial year 2012 call for some comments by the Council, which may be summarised as follows:

• Internal controls: the Council notes that, following the Court's assessment, improvements are necessary with regard to the ex-ante controls and welcomes the Joint Undertaking's commitment to continue working on the elements raised by the Court.