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OPINION (2023/2168(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) for the financial year 2022

LIBE-AD-756199

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: Tomáš Zdechovský

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The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs gives its opinion on the discharge for Eurojust's 2022 budget. It welcomes the Court of Auditors' clean assessment, asks Eurojust to fix a 2020 contract observation and late payments, and praises its casework and cooperation.

Committee position. The committee proposes that the Committee on Budgetary Control incorporate its suggestions into the discharge resolution: it welcomes the clean audit, asks Eurojust to fix the contract observation and late payments, and praises Eurojust's operational results and cooperation.

Key points

  1. The committee calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to include its suggestions in the discharge resolution.
  2. It welcomes the Court of Auditors' finding that Eurojust's 2022 transactions were legal and regular in all material respects.
  3. It notes a 2020 observation on a framework contract with a single company for vehicle leasing, which led to a 59 281 EUR irregular payment; the contract expires in 2024.
  4. It calls on Eurojust to fully address the observation, implement all Court recommendations and report progress to the discharge authority.
  5. It notes Eurojust missed payment deadlines under Article 116 of the Financial Regulation, which Eurojust attributes to adjustment to the new SUMMA system; carryovers are well below threshold levels.
  6. It welcomes the 14% rise in Eurojust casework in 2022, with 528 Coordination Meetings, 22 Coordination Centres, 265 Joint Investigation Teams, 1 262 European Arrest Warrants and 5 415 European Investigation Orders.
  7. It notes that cases in 2022 involved more than triple the number of victims compared to 2021.
  8. It appreciates Eurojust's transnational cooperation, which contributed to over 4 000 arrests, seizure or freezing of criminal assets worth almost EUR 3 billion and seizure of drugs worth almost EUR 12 billion.
  9. It notes that Eurojust's mandate was extended to preserve, analyse and store evidence of core international crimes and to create a judicial database for such evidence.
  10. It welcomes Eurojust's efforts to support digitalisation of justice and the new Eurojust Case Management System.
  11. It welcomes cooperation with other JHA agencies and stakeholders, including 14 cases with EPPO, and with OLAF, Europol, EDPS, eu-LISA and the EJN, with 44 cases referred to the EJN in 2021.
  12. It further welcomes the increase in Eurojust contact points to over 60 countries.

Who is affected

  • Eurojust: must address the Court's observation, implement recommendations and report progress.
  • Committee on Budgetary Control: asked to incorporate the suggestions into its discharge resolution.
  • Judicial and law enforcement authorities in member states: benefit from Eurojust's coordination and cooperation.

Figures and deadlines

  • 59 281 EUR irregular payment for the reporting period
  • 14% increase in Eurojust casework in 2022
  • 528 Coordination Meetings and 22 Coordination Centres organised
  • 265 Joint Investigation Teams supported
  • 1 262 European Arrest Warrants facilitated
  • 5 415 European Investigation Orders enabled
  • more than 4 000 suspects arrested; criminal assets worth almost EUR 3 billion seized or frozen; drugs worth almost EUR 12 billion seized
  • 14 cases opened involving EPPO; 44 cases referred to EJN in 2021; contact points in over 60 countries