On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section III - Commission and executive agencies

PA_NonLegDec

OPINION

The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:

1. Points out to the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, peace and geopolitical instability in the current year of audit; recalls that since Russian’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has provided economic, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine worth over €88 billion;

2. Underlines that expenditures in heading 4 ‘Global Europe’ are considered high-risk except for budget support payments and administrative expenditure which represent around 20%; notes that most errors found in this area concern expenditure not incurred, ineligible costs and non-compliance with public procurement rules;

3. Stresses that the Union budget must continue to provide support to build peace and stability in the Middle East region, to combat hate and fundamentalism and to promote human rights; notes that following the heinous terror attacks of 7 October 2023 by Hamas and serious allegations of misuse of EU funds for terrorism, a funding review was conducted which found that generally EU funds are being well implemented, but certain additional safeguards were deemed necessary;