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opinion parliamentary committee draft, 20 November 2023

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2021, Section III – Commission

Document LIBE-PA-756204 · (2023/2129(DEC))

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: zTomáš Zdechovský

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AI:In short

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs gives its suggestions to the Committee on Budgetary Control on the 2021 budget discharge for the Commission. It notes the Court of Auditors audited migration and border management and security and defence spending, examining 23 transactions, of which 11 had quantifiable errors. It is concerned that 26% of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and 33% of the Internal Security Fund remain undisbursed, and urges the Commission to help member states implement their national programmes. It welcomes DG HOME's actions after the Russian aggression and its work on returns and migrant smuggling, and acknowledges DG JUST's support for rule of law policy.

Position. The committee proposes that the Committee on Budgetary Control incorporate its suggestions into its motion for a resolution on the 2021 budget discharge for the Commission.

Key points

  1. The committee calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to include its suggestions in its motion for a resolution.
  2. It notes the Court of Auditors audited migration and border management (heading 4) and security and defence (heading 5) spending.
  3. It notes the Court examined 23 transactions under headings 4 and 5, that the sample was not representative, and repeats Parliament's call for an audit allowing calculation of the estimated level of error.
  4. It notes with concern that 11 of the 23 transactions had quantifiable errors with a financial impact on the Union budget, which may harm reputation.
  5. It notes member states stepped up national programme implementation in 2022, is concerned that 26% of AMIF and 33% of ISF remain undisbursed, notes 2014-2020 funding must be spent by June 2024, and urges the Commission to assist member states.
  6. It welcomes DG HOME's prompt actions after the Russian aggression, including the decision activating the Temporary Protection Directive and the Solidarity Platform 'Ukraine'.
  7. It welcomes DG HOME's work on returns and operational partnerships against migrant smuggling with Morocco, Niger and the Western Balkans, is concerned by low return levels, and calls on the Commission to continue working on a returns strategy and extend partnerships.
  8. It acknowledges DG JUST's support for the rule of law policy, including the Justice Scoreboard and the third Annual Rule of Law Report with recommendations to member states.

Who is affected

  • The Committee on Budgetary Control, which receives the suggestions for its motion for a resolution.
  • Member states, which implement national programmes under AMIF and ISF and receive rule of law recommendations.
  • The Commission, which is urged to assist member states and work on returns and partnerships.
  • DG HOME and DG JUST, whose actions are welcomed and acknowledged.

Figures and deadlines

  • 23 transactions examined by the Court under MFF headings 4 and 5.
  • 11 out of the 23 transactions contained quantifiable errors.
  • 26% of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund remains undisbursed.
  • 33% of the Internal Security Fund remains undisbursed.
  • Funding for 2014-2020 has to be spent by June 2024.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 25 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Suggestions 8 paragraphs

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions into its motion for a resolution:

1. Notes that the Court of Auditors (the ‘Court’) audited spending areas comprising various policies related to migration and border management (heading 4) and security and defence (heading 5);

2. Notes that for the audited spending areas related to migration and border management, security and defence policies, the Court examined a sample of 23 transactions, under MFF headings 4 and 5; notes the Court’s explanation that the audit scope was not designed to be representative for these headings; reiterates the call from the Parliament to carry out the audit in a way that would allow calculating the estimated level of error;

3. Notes with concern that 11 out of the 23 transactions examined by the Court contained quantifiable errors which had a financial impact on the amounts charged to the Union budget; highlights that such cases may have negative reputational impact;

4. Notes that Member States stepped up implementation of their national programmes in 2022; is concerned that significant amounts remain undisbursed for both Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) (26 %) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF) (33 %), meanwhile acknowledges that funding for 2014-2020 has to be spent by June 2024; urges the Commission to step up its efforts towards assisting Member States in the effective implementation of their respective national programmes;

5. Welcomes the prompt actions by DG HOME following the Russian aggression, especially the timely drafting of a decision on the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time, the setting up of a Solidarity Platform ‘Ukraine’;

6. Welcomes the actions by DG HOME to support Member States in improving the return process particularly by linking the EU visa policy to cooperation on readmission; welcomes the operational partnerships to fight migrant smuggling with Morocco, Niger, and the Western Balkans; is concerned of particularly low levels of returns of irregular migrants across the EU and associated security risks; calls on the Commission to continue working towards strategy for more effective returns and extend its operational partnerships with third countries;

7.Acknowledges the continuing support of DG JUST to the Commission’s policy on upholding the rule of law in the Union, especially and the yearly edition of the Justice Scoreboard and the third Annual Rule of Law Report, which contained recommendations to the Member States for the first time;