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REPORT (2023/2170(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme for the financial year 2022

A-9-2024-0121

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Petri Sarvamaa

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Parliament's committee report grants the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme discharge for the 2022 budget and approves the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts. It sets out observations on the Agency's budget and financial management, performance, efficiency, staff policy, procurement, and prevention of conflicts of interest and transparency. It notes the Court of Auditors' reasonable assurance that the accounts are reliable and the transactions legal and regular, and an emphasis of matter on the impact of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It asks the Agency to report back on equipment at Galileo and EGNOS ground stations in Ukraine, to improve gender balance, to publish its register of senior management meetings with industry, and to improve public procurement procedures.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes that Parliament grant the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme discharge for the 2022 budget and approve the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts, and sets out its observations in the accompanying resolution.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme discharge for the implementation of the Agency's 2022 budget and approves the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts.
  2. The Agency's final 2022 budget was EUR 70 032 491,77, up 22,58 % on 2021; the budget implementation rate for current year commitment appropriations was 100 % and the execution rate for current year payment appropriations was 72,86 %.
  3. The administrative board approved three budget amendments in 2022, including one increasing overall appropriations by EUR 1 687 363,77 and one decreasing payment appropriations by EUR 4 640 000.
  4. The Agency managed delegated budget in addition to its core budget, committing EUR 574,5 million and making EUR 1,26 billion in payments in 2022.
  5. The Agency uses key performance indicators; most objectives were achieved, and it should address unfulfilled or slower indicators and fine tune them regularly.
  6. The war in Ukraine interrupted the use of Soyuz launchers for Galileo satellites and halted work on Galileo and EGNOS ground stations in Ukraine; the Agency should report back on the state of installed equipment as soon as the war allows.
  7. The Agency should become the main implementing agency of all components of the Union space programme and use its added value for the future Union Space Law.
  8. The Agency streamlined human resources processes and must implement the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme by the end of 2023 and gradually introduce green criteria in public procurement.
  9. The Agency should increase digitalisation while stepping up action against cyberattacks or infiltration attempts, particularly originating from Russia or China.
  10. On 31 December 2022 the establishment plan was 100 % implemented with 231 temporary agents; 46 contract agents and 9 seconded national experts brought total staff to 286.
  11. The Agency lacks gender balance in senior and middle management (3 out of 3 men), its administrative board (22 out of 28 men) and overall staff (153 out of 232 men); it should consider gender balance in future recruitments and appointments.
  12. The Agency should improve public procurement procedures for full compliance and value for money, publish its register of senior management meetings with industry, and continue work on transparency, conflicts of interest and revolving doors.

Who is affected

  • The European Union Agency for the Space Programme: receives discharge for its 2022 budget and must act on Parliament's observations.
  • The Agency's Executive Director: is granted discharge and receives the decision and resolution.
  • The Commission and member states: asked to consider gender balance when nominating members to the Agency's administrative board.
  • The Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors: receive the decision and resolution.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 70 032 491,77: the Agency's final budget for the financial year 2022.
  • 22,58 %: increase in the Agency's final budget compared to 2021.
  • 100 %: budget implementation rate of current year commitment appropriations in 2022.
  • 72,86 %: execution rate of current year payment appropriations in 2022, a decrease of 1,92 % compared to 2021.
  • EUR 1 687 363,77: increase in overall appropriations under the first budget amendment in January 2022.
  • EUR 4 640 000: decrease in payment appropriations under the third amending budget, bringing payment appropriations to EUR 65 392 491,77.
  • EUR 574,5 million committed and EUR 1,26 billion paid under delegated budget in 2022.
  • 31 December 2032: expiry date of the framework contract for search and rescue services, with a maximum budget of EUR 120 million.

Legal basis: Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.