2017 discharge: European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Having examined the revenue and expenditure accounts for the financial year 2017 and the balance sheet as at 31 December 2017 of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), as well as the Court of Auditors' report on the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2017, accompanied by the Agency's replies to the Court's observations, the Council recommended the European Parliament to give a discharge to the Executive Director of the Agency in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2017.

The Council welcomed the Court's opinion that, in all material respects, the Agency's annual accounts present fairly its financial position as at 31 December 2017 and the results of its operations, its cash flows, and the changes in net assets for the year then ended, in accordance with the provisions of the Agency's Financial Regulation, and that the underlying transactions for 2017 are legal and regular in all material respects.

Nevertheless, the following observations were made:

- procurement: the Council noted the potential budgetary risk resulting from the ongoing Court proceedings related to procurement procedures conducted by the Agency and called on the Agency to carefully monitor the situation. The Council urged the Agency to ensure the full implementation without unjustified delay of electronic public procurement;

- Brexit: the Agency is encouraged to take into account any possible financial impact of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU on its organisation, operations and accounts.