2002 discharge: EC general budget, Economic and social Committee ESC

In adopting the report by Gabriele STAUNER (EPP-ED, D), the European Parliament has voted to grant the Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the 2002 financial year. In an accompanying resolution, Parliament thanks the EESC for forwarding its internal rules governing budget implementation and the charter of the internal auditor. Parliament notes the EESC's assurance that there have been no further irregularities whatever with regard to the settlement of travel expenses. It is also noted that, on 10 December 2003, the EESC adopted a statute for its Members and asks the Court of Auditors for an opinion on the financial implications of the provisions thereof. Parliament asks the Court of Auditors to submit that opinion no later than in the context of its annual report for 2003. Parliament welcomes the fact that the EESC has given an account of the extent to which the objectives it set itself for the period 1998-2002 were met and it is convinced that a critical evaluation of activities can be the basis for better public awareness of the EESC's work. The EESC is thanked for the progress report of 26 June 2003 on renovating the Belliard Building, according to which it will be handed over on 31 May 2004. It asks, however, for an explanation of the Financial Controller's comment on 2002 budget implementation that 'Shortcomings in the management of the 'Belliard' dossier, meaning that the Committees had a lack of oversight of certain aspects, were noted and pointed out. Parliament welcomes the fact that the two committees have managed to make early payments to the owner of the Belliard Building, Cofinimmo, so as to reduce liabilities more quickly. Lastly, the EESC whether it updated the inventory in 2002 and whether, as Parliament insisted, the Court of Auditors has verified the inventory.�