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Discharge 2022: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)

TA-9-2024-0260 · P9_TA(2024)0260 · PE753.540

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

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Parliament grants the Executive Director of Europol discharge for the 2022 budget and approves the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts. In its accompanying resolution, Parliament sets out observations on Europol's budget and financial management, performance, staff policy, procurement, conflicts of interest, internal control and other matters. Parliament notes the Court of Auditors' reasonable assurance that Europol's 2022 accounts are reliable and the underlying transactions legal and regular. It commends Europol's achievements, including its support to member states after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and calls for continued attention to transparency, fundamental rights and data protection.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the Executive Director of Europol discharge for the implementation of the Agency's 2022 budget.
  2. Parliament approves the closure of Europol's accounts for the financial year 2022.
  3. Parliament notes Europol's 2022 budget of EUR 197 759 722, an increase of 10,91 % compared to 2021, and the Court's reasonable assurance on the accounts.
  4. Parliament notes budget implementation of 96,62 % in commitments and 79,73 % in payments, a low carry-over implementation rate of 85 %, and a surplus of EUR 10,3 million; it calls on Europol to keep the discharge authority informed on its action plan.
  5. Parliament notes Europol monitored 15 key performance indicators and 56 work programme indicators, and commends its achievements under the Europol Strategy 2020+.
  6. Parliament commends Europol's support to member states after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and encourages it to continue, while noting that extended competences would require additional oversight mechanisms.
  7. Parliament notes Europol's cooperation with eu-LISA on ETIAS and with the European Public Prosecutors Office, and its efficiency measures including in-sourcing and digitalisation.
  8. Parliament notes the establishment plan was 99,41 % implemented with 682 temporary agents, a vacancy rate of 0,6 % and a turnover rate of 9,12 %; it calls for fair compensation for seconded national experts.
  9. Parliament notes with concern the gender distribution in senior and middle management (82 % men), the management board (75 % men) and overall staff (65 % men), and calls for gender balance in future recruitments and appointments.
  10. Parliament notes the Court's finding that EUR 0,2 million in VAT reimbursed for five boats was irregular, and the Agency's commitment to assess VAT eligibility in operational grants.
  11. Parliament notes the Agency handled six conflict-of-interest cases and one whistleblowing case, and expresses concern over media reports on staff moves; it calls for thorough investigation and reporting to the discharge authority.
  12. Parliament notes the Court's finding that EUR 155 553 in daily subsistence allowances was wrongly paid to three Dutch seconded national experts, and that the Agency enhanced ex-ante verifications.

Who is affected

  • Europol and its Executive Director: granted discharge and asked to report on several issues.
  • Europol staff: affected by observations on gender balance, burnout, harassment and seconded national experts' compensation.
  • Member states: asked to consider gender balance when nominating management board members.
  • The Commission: asked to engage in dialogue on fair compensation for experts.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 197 759 722: Europol's final budget for 2022.
  • 10,91 %: increase in Europol's 2022 budget compared to 2021.
  • 96,62 %: budget implementation in commitment appropriations in 2022.
  • 79,73 %: payment appropriations execution rate in 2022.
  • EUR 10,3 million: Europol's surplus at the end of 2022.
  • 682 temporary agents appointed out of 686 authorised; 0,6 % vacancy rate; 9,12 % turnover rate in 2022.
  • EUR 0,2 million: irregular VAT reimbursement for five boats.
  • EUR 155 553: total daily subsistence allowances wrongly paid to three seconded national experts, of which EUR 90 605 in 2022.

Legal basis: Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.