opinion parliamentary committee draft, 22 November 2024
On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section III - Commission and executive agencies
Document AFET-PA-765324 · (2024/2019(DEC))
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Michael Gahler
AI:In short
The Committee on Foreign Affairs opinion on the 2023 EU budget discharge notes challenges from geopolitical instability and recalls over €88 billion in EU support for Ukraine since Russia's invasion. It flags high-risk spending in 'Global Europe', except budget support and admin costs, with errors from non-incurred expenditure, ineligible costs, and procurement non-compliance. It stresses continued EU support for Middle East peace and stability, and notes a funding review after 2023 attacks found funds generally well implemented but needing extra safeguards.
Position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate its points into the resolution on discharge for the 2023 budget.
Key points
- Points to unprecedented global challenges and geopolitical instability in the audit year, recalling EU support for Ukraine exceeding €88 billion since Russia's invasion.
- Underlines that 'Global Europe' expenditures are high-risk except budget support and admin costs (around 20%), with errors from non-incurred expenditure, ineligible costs, and procurement non-compliance.
- Stresses the Union budget must support peace and stability in the Middle East, combat hate and fundamentalism, and promote human rights.
- Notes that after the 7 October 2023 terror attacks and allegations of EU fund misuse, a review found funds generally well implemented but additional safeguards were needed.
Who is affected
- EU institutions managing the budget, particularly the Commission and executive agencies.
- Beneficiaries of EU funds in 'Global Europe', including Ukraine and the Middle East region.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Opinion 4 paragraphs
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:
1.Points out to the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, peace and geopolitical instability in the current year of audit; recalls that since Russian’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has provided economic, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine worth over €88 billion;
2.Underlines that expenditures in heading 4 ‘Global Europe’ are considered high-risk except for budget support payments and administrative expenditure which represent around 20%; notes that most errors found in this area concern expenditure not incurred, ineligible costs and non-compliance with public procurement rules;
3.Stresses that the Union budget must continue to provide support to build peace and stability in the Middle East region, to combat hate and fundamentalism and to promote human rights; notes that following the heinous terror attacks of 7 October 2023 by Hamas and serious allegations of misuse of EU funds for terrorism, a funding review was conducted which found that generally EU funds are being well implemented, but certain additional safeguards were deemed necessary;