Brussels, 21/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 21 February, European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros commended the European Commission for the progress it has made in recent years in reducing its late payment problems. He explains in a press release “that both the number of late payments and the overall sums of money affected by delays decreased considerably from 2008 to 2009.”
In January 2010, the ombudsman launched a public consultation on the matter. Lack of co-ordination and excessive bureaucracy in the Commission were among the reasons listed for delays. The ombudsman concluded that measures, such as stricter time limits and increased use of lump sum payments, taken by the Commission to reduce late payment problems “have borne fruit”. The proportion of late payments decreased from more than 22% in 2008 to 14% in 2009. Furthermore, the overall sums of money affected by delays more than halved between 2008 and 2009.
Problems remain, however, on other issues, including the amount of interest paid following payment delays. The ombudsman also stressed that he would vigorously investigate any complaint alleging that a contractor had been discriminated against after turning to the ombudsman. In order to continue monitoring the situation, the ombudsman has asked the Commission to submit the figures for its performance in 2010 as soon as they are available.
Since 1995, the ombudsman has conducted 63 investigations into late payments by the Commission. Most of these complaints were lodged by NGOs, companies, research centres, universities, and other associations involved in EU-funded projects and contracts. In addition, the ombudsman has opened three investigations on his own initiative into measures taken by the Commission to improve the situation. (L.C./transl.fl)