On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the EU agencies for the financial year 2024

OPINION

The Committee on Transport and Tourism calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:

1. Welcomes the ‘clean’ opinions for the 2024 financial year provided by the European Court of Auditors (‘the Court’) in relation to the reliability of the annual accounts as well as the legality and regularity of the revenue and payments underlying the accounts of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA);

Part I – Discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the financial year 2024

2. Recalls that 2024 was a year of substantial transition for EASA: under the leadership of its new Executive Director, appointed in April 2024, the Agency underwent a major reorganisation to reinforce its technical and corporate competences, including internal audit, IT and digital transformation, as well as quality and planning functions;

3. Commends EASA’s dedication to prioritising safety and welcomes its measures taken in response to the growing number of GNSS jamming and spoofing occurrences in the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Baltic Sea, including the update of its Safety Information Bulletin to inform stakeholders and suggest ways to mitigate the issue, and its continuous efforts to tackle these challenges through cybersecurity and conflict zone activities, as well as collaboration with state, institutional and military partners;

4. Welcomes the Agency’s enhanced cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA) and NATO to align regulatory approaches across civil and military aviation; notes that, with EASA’s active support, both EDA and NATO have urged their Member States to adopt a military Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) regulatory framework conforming to EASA standards, facilitating dual-use safety demonstrations as outlined in the Drone Strategy 2.0;

Part II – Discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) for the financial year 2024

5. Acknowledges the Agency’s support to the Commission, Member States and industry in the emerging areas, such as alternative fuels, power systems, and autonomous vessels, through the provision of technical expertise, state of the art tools, databases and research;

6. Welcomes the Agency’s accomplishments in strengthening maritime security and improving situational awareness across multiple sea basins, notably through its monitoring and analytical efforts in the Black Sea, Adriatic Sea, and Baltic Sea, and its contribution to assessing developments in the Red Sea affecting EU Member States’ merchant fleets; commends the Agency’s assistance to the Commission and Member States in overseeing sanctions against the Russian Federation, identifying ship-to-ship transfer hotspots, and maintaining the efficient exchange of maritime information; highlights the successful coordination of the Adriatic Sea Search and Rescue exercise, carried out jointly with Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, which reinforced cross-border operational cooperation; acknowledges the fruitful inter-agency collaboration between EMSA, Frontex, and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) within the framework of the multipurpose maritime operations, particularly in the Western Black Sea, which significantly contribute to the Union’s maritime security architecture, border protection, and environmental safety;

Part III – Discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) for the financial year 2024

7. Recalls that in 2024, ERA celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of improving European railway safety and interoperability; further recalls that in December 2024, the Agency’s second Executive Director concluded his 10-year tenure, stressing that his leadership was instrumental to numerous achievements, particularly the successful implementation of the 4th Railway Package and stable management during this transformative period for ERA; welcomes the appointment of the new Executive Director and the beginning of the new mandate for ERA;

8. Observes that, despite a surge in applications, the authority tasks in vehicle authorisation, single safety certification and European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) trackside approval were delivered on time; commends ERA for the strong 2024 results: 1 888 decisions on vehicle authorisations (a 2.7 % increase compared to 2023), 81 Single Safety Certificates (a 6.5 % increase compared to 2023), and 14 ERTMS trackside approvals (a record 40 % increase compared to 2023);

9. Notes the entry into force of the Interoperable Europe Act in April 2024 and welcomes the Agency’s decision to appoint a dedicated rapporteur on this matter beginning in 2025; considers that this proactive step reflects the Agency’s commitment to strengthening interoperability, data governance, and digital transformation within the European railway system; endorses the Agency’s strategic focus on advancing cross-border data exchange, harmonising digital standards, and integrating automation and artificial intelligence, which are key enablers for realising a fully digital and interconnected Single European Railway Area.