Sittings · Document
22.4.2026 A10-0087/7
Amendment 7
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2. Points out that while the establishment or expansion of EU agencies is intended to enhance the Union's capabilities, it is important to ensure that this process is guided by thorough evaluations and rigorous analyses, impact assessments and a clear demonstration of added value; so that lessons can be learned and consideration can be given to terminating their mandate if necessary; highlights that this approach would not only ensure better regulation but also enhance the effectiveness, accountability, transparency and coherence of the Union’s institutional landscape; underlines that any consideration of mergers, consolidation or termination of agency mandates must be based on a comprehensive assessment, thus complementing budgetary or efficiency considerations; | 2. Points out that while the establishment or expansion of EU agencies is intended to enhance the Union's capabilities, it is important to ensure that this process is guided by thorough evaluations and rigorous analyses, impact assessments and a clear demonstration of added value; so that lessons can be learned and consideration can be given to terminating their mandate if necessary, particularly where there is an overlap of responsibilities, as is the case in the health sector, where the remit of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control overlaps with that of the European Commission’s European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, or in the areas of training and working conditions (CEDEFOP, ETF, OSHA and Eurofound); highlights that this approach would not only ensure better regulation but also enhance the effectiveness, accountability, transparency and coherence of the Union’s institutional landscape; underlines that any consideration of mergers, consolidation or termination of agency mandates must be based on a comprehensive assessment, thus complementing budgetary or efficiency considerations; |
Or. en
22.4.2026 A10-0087/8
Amendment 8
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 3. Expresses concern regarding the Union's growing debt burden; notes that, according to the Annual Report of the European Court of Auditors (the ‘Court’), outstanding loans borrowed by the Union could exceed EUR 900 billion by 2027, which is almost ten times the level of debt from 2020; warns that rising borrowing costs pose a risk to future budgets and reduce the fiscal space for new priorities; | 3. Expresses concern regarding the Union's growing debt burden; notes that, according to the Annual Report of the European Court of Auditors (the ‘Court’), outstanding loans borrowed by the Union could exceed EUR 900 billion by 2027, which is almost ten times the level of debt from 2020; warns that rising borrowing costs pose a risk to future budgets and reduce the fiscal space for new priorities; Expresses concern that the overall budget of the agencies, including staff expenditure, has more than doubled over the past 10 years, reaching EUR 5.3 billion in 2024 (compared to EUR 4.7 billion in 2023), representing 4% of the Union’s general budget for 2024 (compared to 3% in 20231a), in a context where European people are facing inflation and a rising cost of living; |
| _________________ | |
| 1a https://www.eca.europa.eu/ECAPublications/SAR-AGENCIES-2024/SAR-AGENCIES-2024_EN.pdf |
Or. en
22.4.2026 A10-0087/9
Amendment 9
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 11. Stresses that transparency, robust conflict-of-interest controls and clear rules governing interactions with stakeholders are essential safeguards for the independence, institutional credibility, and accountability of Union decentralised agencies as well as the public's trust in their strong and robust functioning; underlines that many agencies operate in sectors where close cooperation with industry, consultancies, technical experts, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or external partners is necessary, but where the risks of undue influence, unbalanced consultations or opacity remain; highlights that transparent procedures, public disclosure of meetings, balanced and transparent expert selection, and continuous conflict-of-interest screening are indispensable to ensure that agency decisions are based solely on objective evidence and the Union’s general interest; urges all agencies to put in place and enforce such measures, calls for transparent safeguards, including clear and adequate cooling-off periods, proactive monitoring and transparency of stakeholder interactions; recommends regular independent reviews of conflict-of-interest frameworks, respecting the principle of proportionality, and invites the Commission and the EU Agencies Network to promote peer learning to enhance governance and transparency standards; | 11. Stresses that transparency, robust conflict-of-interest controls and clear rules governing interactions with stakeholders are essential safeguards for the independence, institutional credibility, and accountability of Union decentralised agencies as well as the public's trust in their strong and robust functioning; underlines that many agencies operate in sectors where close cooperation with industry, consultancies, technical experts, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or external partners is necessary, but where the risks of undue influence, unbalanced consultations or opacity remain; highlights that transparent procedures, public disclosure of meetings, justified, balanced and transparent expert selection, and continuous conflict-of-interest screening management, decision-makers and entities linked to these agencies, are indispensable to ensure that agency decisions are based solely on objective evidence and the Union’s general interest; urges all agencies to put in place and enforce such measures, calls for transparent safeguards, including clear and adequate cooling-off periods, proactive monitoring and transparency of stakeholder interactions; recommends regular independent reviews of conflict-of-interest frameworks, respecting the principle of proportionality, and invites the Commission and the EU Agencies Network to promote peer learning to enhance governance and transparency standards; |
Or. en
22.4.2026 A10-0087/10
Amendment 10
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 12. Acknowledges that decentralised agencies vary in their exposure to lobbying risks depending on their mandate and operational context; notes that transparency practices vary across Agencies; notes that for example, eu-LISA maintains a dedicated transparency register on its webpage covering all meetings of its senior management with economic operators, European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) provides on its website a register with information on meetings linked specifically to procurement-related matters, ECHA publishes information on the meetings held by senior managers with external stakeholder organisations; is of the opinion that, while a one-size-fits-all model would be neither proportionate nor operationally meaningful, establishing common minimum standards would enhance coherence and accountability; notes the replies provided by agencies in the previous discharge cycle, including their varying use of the Transparency Register and the fact that several agencies have already introduced internal transparency registers or conflict-of-interest systems tailored to their mandates; calls on the agencies to adopt minimum standards such as the implementation of the 4-eye-principle, clear code of conduct strategy including clear rules to avoid a conflict of interest and the implementation of specific internal transparency registers with clear standards reflecting their respective mandate and applicable data protection rules; highlights that such transparency registers should be accessible to auditors on a case by case basis; considers that their implementation should be progressive and make use of new digital possibilities in order to avoid creating unnecessary and/or additional administrative burden for agencies; | 12. Acknowledges that decentralised agencies vary in their exposure to lobbying risks depending on their mandate and operational context; notes that transparency practices vary across Agencies; notes that for example, eu-LISA maintains a dedicated transparency register on its webpage covering all meetings of its senior management with economic operators, European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) provides on its website a register with information on meetings linked specifically to procurement-related matters, ECHA publishes information on the meetings held by senior managers with external stakeholder organisations; is of the opinion that, while a one-size-fits-all model would be neither proportionate nor operationally meaningful, establishing common minimum standards would enhance coherence and accountability; notes the replies provided by agencies in the previous discharge cycle, including their varying use of the Transparency Register and the fact that several agencies have already introduced internal transparency registers or conflict-of-interest systems tailored to their mandates; calls on the agencies to adopt minimum standards such as the implementation of the 4-eye-principle, clear code of conduct strategy including clear rules to avoid a conflict of interest and the implementation of specific internal transparency registers with clear standards reflecting their respective mandate and applicable data protection rules; highlights that such transparency registers should be accessible to auditors on a case by case basis; considers that their implementation should be progressive and make use of new digital possibilities in order to avoid creating unnecessary and/or additional administrative burden for agencies; Calls for full transparency regarding agencies’ interactions with NGOs and interest groups; invites the agencies to systematically publish the list of their meetings with stakeholders not belonging to the Union institutions or the Member States, as well as the contributions received; |
Or. en
22.4.2026 A10-0087/11
Amendment 11
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13. Notes that, in 2024, the 33 decentralised agencies reported that they employ a total of 11 491 members of staff (compared to 10 580 in 2023), comprising officials, temporary agents, contract agents and seconded national experts (SNEs), representing an increase of 8,61 % compared to 2023; notes that while gender balance in the Union decentralised agencies is improving, significant disparities remain; highlights that some agencies, such as ACER, EASA, EIGE, ERA, eu-LISA and Europol, have a higher percentage of male members staff, while agencies like CdT, EFSA, EMA, ETF, and Eurojust have more female members of staff; notes that the percentage is often sector-specific; calls on the agencies to adopt corrective strategies, including transparent promotion procedures and targeted leadership development; recalls that the Union’s commitment to promoting gender equality in management positions is still not fully realised; emphasises that the efforts of the Commission in this regard should be improved; recalls that Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (Staff regulations3) states that recruitment should be on the basis of objective, transparent and merit-based criteria and also be based on the broadest geographical balance selected from Member States; notes that there is a natural tendency for to employ a higher percentage of staff stemming from the Member State in which the Agency is located; recalls that the agencies located in countries with relatively low correction coefficient are facing continuous challenges in attracting skilled and geographically diverse staff; encourages agencies to promote gender balance in HR strategies and management selection panels; invites the Commission and EU Agencies Network to provide best practices and benchmarking tools to support gender-balanced leadership; | 13. Notes that, in 2024, the 33 decentralised agencies reported that they employ a total of 11 491 members of staff (compared to 10 580 in 2023), comprising officials, temporary agents, contract agents and seconded national experts (SNEs), representing an increase of 8,61 % compared to 2023; notes the continuous increase in the number of members of staff employed by these agencies, leading to higher budgetary requirements; recalls that any adjustment in funding or staffing must be based on demonstrable and measurable efficiency gains; stresses that increases in resources should not result in administrative expansion or duplication of functions already performed by national authorities; recalls the need to maintain a lean, results-oriented structure, consistent with each agency’s mandate under Union law; notes that while gender balance in the Union decentralised agencies is improving, significant disparities remain; highlights that some agencies, such as ACER, EASA, EIGE, ERA, eu-LISA and Europol, have a higher percentage of male members staff, while agencies like CdT, EFSA, EMA, ETF, and Eurojust have more female members of staff; notes that the percentage is often sector-specific; calls on the agencies to adopt corrective strategies, including transparent promotion procedures and targeted leadership development; recalls that the Union’s commitment to promoting gender equality in management positions is still not fully realised; emphasises that the efforts of the Commission in this regard should be improved; recalls that Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (Staff regulations3) states that recruitment should be on the basis of objective, transparent and merit-based criteria and also be based on the broadest geographical balance selected from Member States; notes that there is a natural tendency for to employ a higher percentage of staff stemming from the Member State in which the Agency is located; recalls that the agencies located in countries with relatively low correction coefficient are facing continuous challenges in attracting skilled and geographically diverse staff; encourages agencies to promote gender balance in HR strategies and management selection panels; invites the Commission and EU Agencies Network to provide best practices and benchmarking tools to support gender-balanced leadership; |
Or. en
22.4.2026 A10-0087/12
Amendment 12
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 19. Acknowledges the cooperation with external partners such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and United Nations Strategic Planning Network on modernising KPI methodologies; highlights that some agencies, such as ACER, EASA and ECDC, have developed more robust and operationally relevant indicators; calls on agencies with inadequate or immeasurable KPI systems to draw on these stronger models and to systematically share best practices through EUAN, in order to improve comparability, enhance the usefulness of AARs for external users, and strengthen overall performance assessment across the agencies; calls on the Commission to require that all agency evaluations under point 60 of the Common Approach systematically assess the impact of each agency on its policy area, and that programmes or activities that have not demonstrated effectiveness within a reasonable timeframe be terminated, with funds reallocated to more effective measures; | 19. Acknowledges the cooperation with external partners such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and United Nations Strategic Planning Network on modernising KPI methodologies; highlights that some agencies, such as ACER, EASA and ECDC, have developed more robust and operationally relevant indicators; calls on agencies with inadequate or immeasurable KPI systems to draw on these stronger models and to systematically share best practices through EUAN, in order to improve comparability, enhance the usefulness of AARs for external users, and strengthen overall performance assessment across the agencies; calls on the Commission to require that all agency evaluations under point 60 of the Common Approach systematically assess the impact of each agency on its policy area, and that programmes or activities that have not demonstrated effectiveness within a reasonable timeframe be terminated, with funds reallocated to more effective measures; notes, in general, weaknesses in the internal controls and procedures of the agencies, with certain shortcomings leading to avoidable expenditure; calls urgently for a public external audit aimed at proposing strengthened, effective and harmonised internal control rules for the agencies, in order to address deficiencies in internal control systems, conflict-of-interest management, public procurement, HR processes and other areas repeatedly identified by the European Court of Auditors, with the objective of enhancing their professionalism and preventing the recurrence of costly errors, thereby safeguarding the Union’s financial interests; |
Or. en
22.4.2026 A10-0087/13
Amendment 13
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 22. Notes that the absence of opt-out (break-out) clauses that allow the early termination of lease contracts continues to pose a financial risk to EU agencies; recalls that the importance of including such clauses in rental agreements was highlighted by the difficult situation faced by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) following Brexit, which was unable to terminate its long-term lease in London and had to pay rent in both London and Amsterdam as a result; acknowledges that since 2019 several agencies have introduced break-out clauses, but regrets that not all agencies have done so, including cases where new or renewed leases were signed; urges agencies and the Commission to systematically introduce break-out clauses when negotiating or renewing lease contracts, taking into account the lessons learned from past experience, in order to limit financial exposure and ensure greater budgetary flexibility; | 22. Notes that the absence of opt-out (break-out) clauses that allow the early termination of lease contracts continues to pose a financial risk to EU agencies; recalls that the importance of including such clauses in rental agreements was highlighted by the difficult situation faced by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) following Brexit, which was unable to terminate its long-term lease in London and had to pay rent in both London and Amsterdam as a result; expresses concern that the EMA may be liable for EUR 543 million in respect of the lease of its former premises in London, running until 2039, despite the subletting of those premises to a company that has recently renegotiated the contract downwards; regrets therefore that, at the end of 2024, a provision for an onerous contract of EUR 122.1 million was recognised by the EMA, partially reimbursed by the European Commission; acknowledges that since 2019 several agencies have introduced break-out clauses, but regrets that not all agencies have done so, including cases where new or renewed leases were signed, reflecting a naivete regarding the use of taxpayers’ money from the Member States of the Union; notes that the former EMA building belongs to a property complex partly controlled by a Qatari fund (QIA); regrets the significant legal fees paid by the EMA on this matter when the agency has a legal department; urges agencies and the Commission to systematically introduce break-out clauses when negotiating or renewing lease contracts, taking into account the lessons learned from past experience, in order to limit financial exposure and to prevent any further misuse of taxpayers’ money from the citizens of the Member States of the Union; |
Or. en
22.4.2026 A10-0087/14
Amendment 14
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 43 a. Rejects the request of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for additional funding; stresses that the FRA should carry out its mandate with neutrality and transparency; calls for an end to its persistent attempts to interfere in the activities of institutions and agencies, in particular those already having internal staff responsible for fundamental rights; invites consideration of terminating the mandate of the Agency, given that it overlaps with the services of several other agencies, thereby limiting its added value; |
Or. en
22.4.2026 A10-0087/15
Amendment 15
Virginie Joron
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0087/2026
Monika Hohlmeier
Discharge 2024: Agencies
(2025/2156(DEC))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 43 b. Recalls that agencies must focus on their core tasks; denounces the intrusion of an ideology promoted by politically left-wing NGOs, supported by the European Commission and increasingly present in recent years; regrets the increase in staff and budget allocated to fundamental rights monitoring at the expense of officers of the standing corps of European Border and Coast Guard Agency, as recalled by its Executive Director in 20242a, thereby at times hindering the Agency in the fulfilment of its core mission; stresses that all Frontex activities and resources must remain focused on border protection, the fight against cross-border crime, the prevention of irregular migration and the effective return of persons not legally entitled to stay; calls for the redeployment of resources to ensure that means are concentrated on essential border management tasks, the continued recruitment of operational frontline staff at the Union's external borders, and the rationalisation of administrative posts; | |
| _________________ | |
| 2a https://fr.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/03/05/nous-ne-sommes-pas-lagence-europeenne-de-sauvetage-souligne-le-directeur-de-frontex |
Or. en