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DRAFT 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

CONT-PR-753482

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Luke Ming Flanagan

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This draft report proposes a decision on granting the High Representative discharge for the EEAS budget for 2022, with observations in a resolution. It notes the EEAS budget execution, errors found by the Court, and pressures from Russia's war in Ukraine and other crises. It covers human resources, gender balance, ethics, transparency, cybersecurity, buildings, environment, and interinstitutional cooperation. It asks the EEAS to improve training, report on various issues, and consider joining the Transparency Register.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes to grant or postpone discharge to the High Representative for the EEAS budget for 2022, with observations in a resolution covering budgetary management, human resources, ethics, cybersecurity, buildings, environment, and interinstitutional cooperation.

Key points

  1. Grants or postpones discharge to the High Representative for the EEAS budget for 2022, with observations in a resolution.
  2. Notes the EEAS budget of approximately EUR 1,1 billion, 9,4% of total administrative expenditure, and 99,99% commitment execution.
  3. Regrets two quantifiable errors in EEAS payments: missing contract for security services and undeducted child allowances.
  4. Notes budgetary pressures from Russia's war, inflation, and energy costs, leading to cancelled non-essential spending and frozen posts.
  5. Regrets that budget pressure led to no staff on follow-up missions to Electoral Observation Missions in 2023.
  6. Welcomes increased co-locations to 135 in 2022 and the adoption of a co-location policy.
  7. Notes 5188 staff at end-2022, with gender imbalances in management and geographical imbalances in Ambassadors.
  8. Welcomes the Gender Action Plan 2021-2025 and the EU Women Diplomats Network.
  9. Notes increased long-term sick leave and welcomes anti-harassment initiatives, asking for updates on cases.
  10. Welcomes ethics training and new Principles of professional behaviour, but regrets fraud cases investigated by OLAF.
  11. Notes 129 confirmed cyberattacks in 2022 and calls for strong cybersecurity focus and training.
  12. Welcomes environmental measures like EMAS, photovoltaic panels, and a Commuting Plan, but regrets lack of sustainability clauses in co-location agreements.

Who is affected

  • The European External Action Service, which must implement the observations and report back to Parliament.
  • The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is granted or postponed discharge.
  • EEAS staff, affected by human resources, equality, and well-being measures.
  • Union Delegations, which must reduce errors, improve accessibility, and promote EU values.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 11,6 billion for MFF heading 7 in 2022, representing 5,9% of the total Union budget.
  • EUR 786 947 220 for the EEAS budget in 2022, an increase of 2,5% from 2021.
  • 99,99% of the final EEAS budget in commitments was executed in 2022.
  • EUR 24,065 million in paid mission costs for the EEAS in 2022.
  • 5188 people employed by the EEAS by the end of 2022.
  • 111 staff members on long-term sick leave for more than 50 days in 2022, an increase of 22%.
  • 129 confirmed cyberattacks on the EEAS in 2022.
  • EUR 14,183 million for public communication and promotional activities.

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