Brussels, 29/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 28 April, EP rapporteur, Martina Dlabajová (ALDE, the Czech Republic) and the European Budget Commissioner welcomed the vote in plenary to grant discharge to implementation of the EU's budget for 2014 (see EUROPE 11512).
Dlabajová told this newsletter that she had managed to change the way the EU's budget and its flexibility are viewed against the backdrop of the EU's current needs. The budget must be assessed more in terms of positive outcomes of programmes and financed project, she explained, adding that the discharge should not be used for finger pointing problems in the member states, but to find solutions. Finally, she welcomed the commitment by Budget Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva to improve confidence in the EU and its budget.
Georgieva said: “I am grateful to the Members of the European Parliament for their vote of confidence, and to the rapporteurs for their substantive work. The message is clear: we must continue to improve the quality of spending from the EU budget together with all actors concerned and that means both emphasis on performance and on compliance with the rules. Speedy action on urgent issues like the refugee crisis and humanitarian aid must go hand in hand with controls”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)