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2014 discharge: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)

2015/2167(DEC)

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Derek VAUGHAN (S&D, UK) on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the financial year 2014.

The parliamentary committee calls on the European Parliament to grant the Centre’s Director discharge in respect of the implementation of the Centre’s budget for the financial year 2014.

Noting that the Court of Auditors issued a statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions for the financial year 2014, Members call on Parliament to approve the closure of the Centre’s accounts. They made, however, a number of recommendations that needed 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:

  • Centre’s financial statements: Members note the final budget of the Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the financial year 2014 was EUR 15 675 036 representing a decrease of 3.88 % compared to 2013.
  • Budget and financial management: Members note that the budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2014 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 99.62 % and that the payment appropriations execution rate was 94.93 %, representing a slight decrease of 2.78 % compared to 2013. They note that 26% of administrative expenditure was carried over because they mainly relate to multiannual projects.

Members also made a series of observations regarding commitments and carryovers, as well as on internal audit and control procedures. In regard to preventing and managing conflicts of interest, Members remind the Centre that it must adopt binding internal rules on whistle-blowers; further calls on the Centre to establish clear rules against "revolving doors".

Lastly, Members note that the Centre continued its efforts to find a suitable solution for some areas of its “Cais do Sodré Relógio” building which remains partially unused. They acknowledge that the negotiations with the Lisbon Port Authority, the owner of the premises, for the reduction of the rent are in progress. They call on the Centre to inform the discharge authority on the further progress in this issue.