2015 discharge: European Environment Agency (EEA)

2016/2166(DEC)

Having examined the revenue and expenditure accounts for the financial year 2015 and the balance sheet as at 31 December 2015 of the European Environment Agency (EEA), as well as the Court of Auditors' report on the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2015, accompanied by the Agency's replies to the Court's observations, the Council recommended 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 2015.

The Council welcomed the Court's opinion that the Agency's annual accounts present fairly its financial position as at 31 December 2015 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 that the underlying transactions for 2015 are legal and regular in all material respects.

Nevertheless, it made the following observations:

  • procurement: the Council encouraged the Agency to conclude framework agreements with reopening of competition rather than with fixed prices, whenever this is possible, with a view to protecting the Union's budget;
  • internal audits: the Council welcomed the implementation of measures in relation to the execution of ex-ante on-the-spot checks and verifications.