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Discharge 2022: EU general budget - European External Action Service

TA-9-2024-0236 · P9_TA(2024)0236 · PE753.482

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament grants the High Representative discharge for the European External Action Service (EEAS) budget for 2022 and sets out observations in a resolution. It notes the EEAS budget of about EUR 1,1 billion, 99,99 % commitment execution, and errors in 14 of 60 audited transactions, with the error level below the materiality threshold. It raises concerns on procurement errors, internal audits, open critical recommendations, and the use of private jets and air-taxis by the High Representative. It calls for gender balance, better nationality representation, action on harassment and long-term sick leave, and a permanent European Diplomatic Academy. It addresses cybersecurity, data protection, buildings, sustainability, interinstitutional cooperation, and communication, including countering foreign information manipulation. It covers Russia's war against Ukraine and the situation in Gaza, condemning sexual violence and calling for support to victims and monitoring of funds.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the High Representative discharge for the EEAS budget for the 2022 financial year.
  2. It notes the EEAS budget of approximately EUR 1,1 billion, about 9,4 % of total administrative expenditure, and 99,99 % commitment execution in 2022.
  3. It notes that 14 of 60 audited transactions contained errors, with the estimated error level below the materiality threshold, and regrets two quantifiable errors.
  4. It regrets that the 2022 budget was underbudgeted and that budgetary pressure led to cancelling follow-up missions to Electoral Observation Missions in 2023.
  5. It asks the EEAS to inform Parliament about the High Representative's use of commercial and charter planes and recommends air-taxis only when no suitable commercial options or security concerns exist.
  6. It calls on the EEAS to reduce procurement errors in Union Delegations and report on measures adopted.
  7. It calls on the EEAS to achieve gender balance at all levels and to publish annually a gender and nationality breakdown of middle and senior management.
  8. It calls for a permanent structure and resources for the European Diplomatic Academy.
  9. It asks the EEAS to provide mandatory ethics training and to adopt its own whistleblowing policy with a safe channel.
  10. It calls on the EEAS to strengthen cybersecurity and to reinforce EU INTCEN, the Crisis Response Centre and SatCen with staff and financial resources.
  11. It welcomes sustainability measures such as photovoltaic panels and a Commuting Plan, and invites the EEAS to include sustainability clauses in co-location agreements.
  12. It condemns sexual and gender-based violence in Ukraine and by Hamas, and calls for support to victims and monitoring of funds to Palestine.

Who is affected

  • The European External Action Service, which receives discharge and must follow up on Parliament's observations.
  • The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is granted discharge and asked to report on certain matters.
  • Union Delegations, which must improve procurement, security and reporting.
  • EEAS staff, affected by gender balance, teleworking, health and harassment measures.
  • Member States, called to address the needs of women and girls fleeing Ukraine and to support victims of sexual violence.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 11,6 billion: MFF heading 7 'European public administration' in 2022.
  • EUR 1,1 billion: EEAS budget, around 9,4 % of total administrative expenditure.
  • 60: transactions examined by the Court of Auditors under Administration.
  • 14 (23 %): transactions containing errors out of 60.
  • EUR 786 947 220: EEAS budget for 2022.
  • 99,99 %: final EEAS budget in commitments executed in 2022.
  • EUR 24,065 million: total paid mission costs for the EEAS in 2022.
  • EUR 178 320,76: air-taxi costs in 2022.

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