2018 discharge: ECSEL Joint Undertaking

2019/2106(DEC)

The European Parliament decided to grant the Executive Director of the Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL) Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the joint undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2018 and to approve the closure of the joint undertaking’s accounts.

Noting that the Court of Auditors considered that the annual accounts of the Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2018 are presented fairly, in all material respects, with regard to the Joint Undertaking’s financial position as at 31 December 2018, as well as the results of its operations, Parliament adopted by 626 votes to 55, with 12 abstentions, a resolution containing a series of observations which form an integral part of the discharge decision.

General

The contributions to the Joint Undertaking envisaged for the entire period of Horizon 2020 amount to EUR 1 184 874 000 from the Union, EUR 1 170 000 000 from the Participating States and EUR 1 657 500 000 from the private members.

Budgetary and financial management

The Joint Undertaking's final budget for the financial year 2018 included commitment appropriations of EUR 194 100 000 and payment appropriation of EUR 310 554 000. The utilisation rates for commitment and payment appropriations were 98 % and 65 % respectively.

Other observations

The resolution also contained a series of observations on performance, procurement, internal control systems and audits.

It noted in particular that:

- the Joint Undertaking has made efforts to consolidate and develop its activities to allow for smooth and efficient running of the Undertaking;

- a proactive communication policy disseminating the results of its research to the public should be pursued;

- out of 31 authorised posts on the establishment plan 30 were filled in 2018;

- once again, significant shortcomings were found in the management of the procurement procedures for administrative services. A budget, procurement, and contracts assistant is still addressing this issue.