2013 discharge: Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union (CdT)

Having examined the revenue and expenditure accounts for the financial year 2013 and the balance sheet at 31 December 2013 of the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union (CdT), as well as the Court of Auditors' report on the annual accounts of the Centre for the financial year 2013, accompanied by the Centre's replies to the Court's observations, the Council recommends the European Parliament to give a discharge to the Director of the Centre in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2013.

The Council welcomes the Court's opinion that, in all material respects, the Centre's annual accounts present fairly its financial position as at 31 December 2013 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in accordance with the provisions of the Centre's Financial Regulation and the accounting rules adopted by the Commission's accounting officer, and that the underlying transactions for that financial year are legal and regular.

Nevertheless, the Council made some observations which may be summarised as follows:

• procurement: the Council regrets the non-compliance with the implementing rules for the Centre's financial regulation detected by the Court in relation to the procurement of a framework contract for translation services;
• budgetary surplus:  the Council recalls that a significant budgetary surplus was recorded at the end of 2013 and takes note, following the Court's assessment, of a possible reduction of prices;
• headquarters: the Council encourages the Centre to pursue its efforts in order to conclude a headquarters agreement with the host Member State.