2013 discharge: European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA)

Having examined the revenue and expenditure accounts for the financial year 2013 and the balance sheet at 31 December 2013 of the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA), as well as the Court of Auditors' report on the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2013, accompanied by the Agency's replies to the Court's observations, the Council recommends the European Parliament to give a discharge to the Executive Director of the Agency in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2013.

Overall, the Council welcomes the Court's opinion that, in all material respects, the Agency's annual accounts present fairly its financial position as at 31 December 2013 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in accordance with the provisions of the Agency's Financial Regulation and the accounting rules adopted by the Commission's accounting officer, and that the underlying transactions for that financial year are legal and regular.

Nevertheless, the Council made some observations. They may be summarised as follows:

• establishment of the Agency: the Council notes that 2013 was the first year of the Agency's financial autonomy and it welcomes the fact that the Agency has taken corrective measures in order to address the weaknesses identified by the Court as regards the development of the Agency's internal control standards and the establishment of insurance coverage for fixed tangible assets. It encourages the Agency to follow up the contributions to be made to the Agency's budget by countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and Eurodac-related measures; 
• headquarters: the Council encourages the Agency to pursue its efforts in order to conclude a headquarters agreement with the host Member State.