2013 discharge: European Training Foundation (ETF)

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Ryszard CZARNECKI (ECR, PL) on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Training Foundation (ETF) for the financial year 2013.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament grant the Director of the Foundation discharge in respect of the implementation of the Foundation’s budget for the financial year 2013.

Noting that the Court of Auditors stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the annual accounts of the Foundation for the financial year 2013 are reliable, and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Members called on the Parliament to approve the closure of the Foundation’s accounts. They made, however, a number of recommendations that needed to be taken into account when the discharge is granted, in addition to the general recommendations that appear in the draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies.

• Foundation’s financial statements: Members noted that the final budget of the Foundation for the financial year 2013 was EUR 20 143 500, representing a decrease of 0.01 % compared to 2012. The entire budget of the Foundation derives from the Union budget.
• Carryovers: Members noted that budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2013 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 99.78%, and that the payment appropriations execution rate was 95.72%. They noted from the Court's report that at the end of 2013, the Foundation had EUR 7 500 000 in accounts at a single bank with a low credit rating. However, they noted the Foundation's intention to participate in a joint procurement procedure for banking services launched by the Commission.

Members also made a series of observations on the prevention and management of conflicts of interests, recruitment, procurement procedures and internal audits.

With regard to performance, the committee acknowledged from the Foundation that the general public was a key target of its communication activities. It observed that the first level of information on the Foundation's website was aimed at interested citizens and contained general information, concrete activities and results. The Foundation also used other channels of communication such as social media.

Lastly, Members welcomed the fact that an agreement on the Foundation's premises was concluded with the authorities of the Piedmont region, in Italy, which ensured the continuation of the Foundation's activities for the 2013-2015 period.