Discharge 2023: Agencies

The European Parliament decided to grant discharge to the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Asylum in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2023 and to approve the closure of the accounts for that year.

Noting that the Court of Auditors stated that it had obtained reasonable assurance that the Agency’s annual accounts for the financial year 2023 were reliable and that the underlying transactions were legal and regular, Parliament adopted, by 476 votes to 99, with 72 abstentions, a resolution containing a series of recommendations which form an integral part of the discharge decision and which complement the general recommendations contained in the resolution on the performance, financial management and control of EU agencies.

It should be recalled that on 7 May 2025, Parliament decided to postpone the decision on the 2023 discharge of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). The fact that the discharge was postponed earlier and only granted at this plenary suggests that the Parliament wished to ensure further scrutiny of the Agency’s financial and operational management before giving its approval.

The outcome of the investigation of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)

Parliament took note that OLAF issued disciplinary and administrative recommendations following the investigation. It observed that, concerning the disciplinary recommendations, the Management Board decided, as a follow-up, not to open disciplinary proceedings and instead issued written recommendations with a warning and requested to the Executive Director concrete proposals by way of corrective actions, and a timetable for their implementation as soon as possible.

Parliament regretted that the Management Board has decided after intense deliberations not to implement OLAF’s disciplinary recommendations, including the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the Executive Director of the Agency or any other staff in the Agency, despite OLAF’s significant findings, which appear to be systematic and which undermine trust in the Agency’s leadership. It emphasised that this decision raises questions about the Board’s commitment to accountability and responsibility. Parliament will remain particularly attentive to the corrective actions undertaken and called on the Agency to ensure transparent reporting to Parliament by, inter alia, sharing the minutes of Management Board deliberations with Parliament, to strengthen parliamentary oversight.

Staffing and mismanagement

Parliament strongly deplored the weaknesses in the management of conflicts of interest within the Agency, particularly the flawed handling of complaints by the Management Board against decisions made by the Executive Director. The Agency should promptly inform the discharge authority of the corrective actions and organisational changes put in place.

The resolution also noted with concern the repeated failures in governance, including the inability of the Management Board to exercise timely and effective oversight. Parliament regrets that several of the irregularities could have been prevented with better internal controls and proactive engagement from the Management Board.

Furthermore, the resolution deplored the issues of poor administration, especially in the area of human resources, with serious irregularities, particularly in appointment and selection procedures. The Agency is called on to:

- fully align its recruitment processes with the applicable rules, and insisted on the adoption of strict, transparent, and merit-based procedures, accompanied by enforceable guidelines and subject to close oversight by the discharge authority;

- establish an independent internal ethics function and have a robust whistle-blower protection in place;

Parliament commended the Agency's staff for their dedication and commitment in executing their tasks despite challenging circumstances. It urged the Management Board and the Executive Director to ensure that the Agency is a safe and supportive workplace that encouraged open communication and empowers individuals to speak up without fear of retaliation.