1998 discharge: EC general budget, Parliament

PURPOSE : Council Recommendation on the discharge to be given to the Parliament on the implementation of its budget for the 1998 financial year. CONTENT : The Council is pleased that the Court of Auditors considers that the operations and accounts covered by heading 5 of the financial perspectives (Budget- administrative expenditure) are generally satisfactory. Following the example of the Court of Auditors, it calls for inter-institutional cooperation to be strengthened so that the presentation of the consolidated accounts and commitments not included in the balance sheet is improved. The Council also made some observations on each of the institutions. As far as real estate expenditure is concerned, in particular, the Council reaffirmed the fact that the Treaty does not permit a European Institution to borrow. Lastly, the Council pronounced itself pleased with the audit carried out by the Court of Auditors and called for expenditures on missions and meetings should be harmonised.�