2013 discharge: European Training Foundation (ETF)

The European Parliament adopted by 558 votes to 132, with 2 abstentions, a decision to grant discharge to the Director of the European Training Foundation (ETF) for the financial year 2013. The vote on the discharge decision approved the closure of the accounts (in accordance with Annex VI, Article 5(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament).

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, Parliament adopted by 567 votes to 108, with 5 abstentions, a resolution containing a number of recommendations that form an integral part of the discharge decision and as well as the general recommendations that appear in the resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

• Foundation’s financial statements: Parliament 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: Parliament 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%. It 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, it noted the Foundation's intention to participate in a joint procurement procedure for banking services launched by the Commission.

Parliament 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, Parliament 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. It appreciated the progress made in the development of evidence-based European vocational education and training reform through the Torino Process and other specific policy analyses which were taken over by partner countries, leading to national policy developments which help to guarantee future sustainability.

Lastly, Parliament 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.