Brussels, 18/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 18 February, the Council of Ministers of the EU decided by qualified majority to recommend the European Parliament grant discharge to the European Commission on the execution of the general budget of the European Union for the 2012 financial year. The Netherlands, Sweden and the UK voted against discharge, very much regretting that, for the 19th consecutive year, the Court of Auditors of the EU has not given an unqualified statement of assurance regarding the whole EU budget. The overall rate of error has increased to 4.8% in recent years (and is therefore “considerably” above the acceptable threshold of 2%), the three countries state. (LC/transl.fl)