2007 discharge: European Training Foundation ETF

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report drawn up by Christofer FJELLNER (EPP-ED, SE) on discharge to be granted to the European Training Foundation, calling on the European Parliament to grant the Executive Director of the Foundation discharge in respect of the implementation of its budget for the financial year 2007.

Noting that the Foundation’s annual accounts for the financial year 2007 are reliable, and the underlying transactions are legal and regular, MEPs approve the closure of the Foundation’s accounts.

However, they make a number of recommendations as part of the decision on discharge. In addition to the general recommendations appearing in the draft resolution on financial management and control of EU agencies (see 2008/2207(INI)), MEPs make the following observations:

• in the amending budget, the amount of assigned revenue was stated in an incorrect way (it should have been EUR 1.2 million instead of the EUR 3.4 million shown, which included assigned revenue carried over from the previous year);
• in the declaration of assurance (annexed to the annual activity report), the Director maintains reservations made last year concerning political uncertainty in partner countries, financial management of part of the Tempus convention and possible social, reputational, legal and financial implications of the repatriation of Tempus technical assistance from the Foundation. MEPs therefore call on the Court of Auditors to examine and comment on the Director's reservations in the forthcoming audit report on the Foundation.