The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report drawn up by Christofer FJELLNER (EPP-ED, SE) on discharge to be granted to the European Maritime Safety Agency, calling on the European Parliament to grant the Executive Director of the Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of its budget for the financial year 2007.
Noting that the Agency’s annual accounts for the financial year 2007 are reliable, and the underlying transactions are legal and regular, MEPs approve the closure of the Agency’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:
Moreover, MEPs call on the Agency to step up its training and communication efforts. They request that action taken in this respect be reported in the Agency's annual activity report for 2008.
MEPs also note that the ECA found weaknesses with regard to recruitment procedures and note the Agency's replies on this issue. They call on the Agency to see to it that its recruitment procedures are transparent and non-discriminatory.
Lastly, MEPs welcome the fact that the Agency closely cooperates with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, also based in Lisbon, in order to share buildings and make joint use of infrastructure and services.