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DRAFT REPORT (2025/2150(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024, Section X – European External Action Service

CONT-PR-778061

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Pasquale Tridico

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This draft report concerns the discharge for the European External Action Service (EEAS) for the 2024 financial year. It proposes granting discharge to the High Representative and includes a resolution with observations. The report notes the EEAS budget, implementation rates, and challenges such as inflation and the war in Ukraine. It calls for improvements in transparency, procurement, and staff welfare. It highlights the EEAS's work on foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), support for Ukraine, human rights, and gender equality. It requests more funding for these areas. The report addresses internal control, audit findings, and anti-fraud measures. It notes an ongoing investigation into procurement fraud and calls for reinforced anti-fraud frameworks. It also covers human resources, including staff numbers, gender balance, and well-being. It calls for better geographical balance and support for local staff.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes granting discharge to the High Representative for the EEAS budget implementation in 2024, with observations in the resolution.

Key points

  1. The report proposes granting discharge to the High Representative for the EEAS budget implementation in 2024, with observations in the resolution.
  2. Notes the EEAS budget of approximately EUR 1,293 billion, representing 9.54% of total EU administrative expenditure in 2024.
  3. Notes that the Court of Auditors found errors in 16 of 70 transactions, but the error level is below the materiality threshold.
  4. Calls on the EEAS to improve electronic payments and digitalisation, especially electronic invoices in delegations.
  5. Notes the EEAS faced a deficit of EUR 33 million for Union delegations due to the war in Ukraine, inflation, and exchange rates, addressed through savings and reallocations.
  6. Calls on the EEAS to collaborate with DG ENEST for oversight of European Peace Facility projects, whose ceiling increased to EUR 17 billion in 2024.
  7. Notes the EEAS launched 71 procurement procedures for high-value contracts in 2024, with 63 successful; expects simplifications from the new Financial Regulation to help.
  8. Commends the EEAS for its work against FIMI, including publishing reports and launching an analysis centre; notes concerns about pro-Kremlin disinformation.
  9. Urges the EEAS to develop a more ambitious GAP IV for gender equality, ready for implementation as of 2028.
  10. Requests the EEAS to provide documentation on the European Diplomatic Academy pilot project and notes the establishment of a fully-fledged EUDA in 2024.
  11. Notes the residual financial error rate for EEAS expenditure was 0.03% in 2024, and procurement detected error value was EUR 49,774,108.
  12. Calls on the EEAS to fully consult local staff representatives when designing dismissal plans and to find solutions for local staff safety during relocations.

Who is affected

  • The European External Action Service (EEAS) and its staff, including those in Union delegations.
  • Local agents in Union delegations, who may face redundancy or safety issues during relocations.
  • The College of Europe, involved in the European Diplomatic Academy and subject to an investigation.
  • Member States, urged to provide sufficient financing for the EEAS and its delegation network.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 13.3 billion: total EU budget under MFF Heading 7 in 2024.
  • EUR 880,165,703: final EEAS budget for 2024, an increase of 7.09% from 2023.
  • 100%: implementation rate of current year commitment appropriations in 2024.
  • EUR 17 billion: financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility in 2024.
  • EUR 143,000: threshold for high-value contracts under Directive 2014/24/EU.
  • EUR 6.12 million: reinforced budget for Strategic communication capacity in 2024.
  • EUR 1.72 million: intended amount for the EUDA for July 2024-June 2025.
  • 0.03%: residual financial error rate for EEAS expenditure in 2024.

Legal basis: Article 287 and Articles 314(10), 317, 318, and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.