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REPORT (2023/2134(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022, Section X – European External Action Service

A-9-2024-0102

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Monika Hohlmeier

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Parliament grants the High Representative discharge for the European External Action Service (EEAS) budget for 2022, with observations in a resolution. It notes the EEAS budget was under pressure from inflation, energy costs and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and regrets underbudgeting and frozen posts. It raises concerns over procurement errors in Union Delegations, open internal audit recommendations, and the use of private leased jets by the HR/VP. It calls for gender balance at all levels, better geographical balance in Ambassador posts, and action on staff wellbeing and harassment. It asks the EEAS to join the Transparency Register, publish lobby meetings, and strengthen its ethics and anti-fraud framework. It addresses cybersecurity, buildings, sustainability, interinstitutional cooperation, communication, and the situations in Ukraine and Gaza.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes that Parliament grant the High Representative discharge for the EEAS budget for 2022, and sets out observations in a resolution covering budgetary management, internal control, human resources, ethics, cybersecurity, buildings, sustainability, communication and foreign policy issues.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the High Representative discharge for the EEAS budget for the financial year 2022.
  2. It notes the Court of Auditors found two quantifiable errors in EEAS payments, one for a missing contract for security services and one for undeducted child allowances.
  3. It regrets the 2022 EEAS administrative budget was underbudgeted and that mitigating measures included cancelling non-essential expenditure and freezing posts.
  4. It regrets that budgetary pressure led the EEAS to cancel planned follow-up missions to Electoral Observation Missions in 2023.
  5. It is concerned by the extensive use of private leased jets by the HR/VP and asks for information on commercial versus charter flights.
  6. It notes with surprise that the EEAS launched no internal audits in 2022 and that four critical Internal Audit Service recommendations remained open.
  7. It calls on the EEAS to reduce procurement errors in Union Delegations and report on measures adopted.
  8. It calls on the EEAS to achieve gender balance at all levels and to publish an annual gender and nationality breakdown of management posts.
  9. It regrets the rise in long-term sick leave and asks the EEAS to prevent burnout and ensure staff wellbeing.
  10. It invites the EEAS to join the Union Transparency Register and publish all meetings with lobby organisations.
  11. It notes 129 confirmed cyberattacks on the EEAS in 2022 and calls for a strong focus on cybersecurity and staff training.
  12. It condemns sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war in Ukraine and urges controls and audits of UNRWA funding over concerns about Hamas.

Who is affected

  • The European External Action Service, which receives discharge and must act on Parliament's observations.
  • The High Representative, who is granted discharge and asked to report on certain matters.
  • Union Delegations, which face calls to reduce procurement errors and improve communication and support.
  • EEAS staff, who are affected by measures on gender balance, wellbeing, teleworking and harassment.
  • Member States, which are reminded of their obligation to support the Union's external policy.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 11,6 billion: MFF heading 7 'European public administration' in 2022, representing 5,9 % of the total Union budget.
  • EUR 786 947 220: the EEAS budget for 2022, an increase of 2,5 % from 2021.
  • EUR 1 143,6 million: total available EEAS budget in commitment appropriations.
  • 99,99 %: share of the final EEAS budget in commitments executed in 2022.
  • EUR 24 065 million: total paid mission costs for the EEAS in 2022.
  • EUR 178 320,76: air-taxi costs for the HR/VP in 2022, up from 0 EUR in 2021.
  • 5 188: people employed by the EEAS by the end of 2022.
  • 129: confirmed cyberattacks on the EEAS in 2022.

Legal basis: Article 314(10) and Articles 317, 318 and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.