On Thursday 31 March, MEPs on the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control decided to postpone their decision to grant discharge for the implementation of the 2020 budget of the European border and coast guard agency, Frontex.
According to them, the postponement is due to the Agency’s failure to comply with the conditions set out in the European Parliament’s previous discharge report and the findings of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) regarding acts of harassment, misconduct and pushback of migrants involving Frontex.
These observations were presented by the Director General of OLAF and, in view of their seriousness, MEPs decided to postpone the decision on the discharge to the Agency. They believe that nothing has been done about reports of fundamental rights violations in Greece and that Hungary’s deportation operations continued in 2020, despite a ruling by the EU Court of Justice.
The Commission was discharged. With 18 votes in favour, 12 against and 0 abstentions, MEPs recommended giving discharge to the European Commission for the implementation of the EU 2020 budget.
MEPs point out that €12.9 billion in commitments (under direct and indirect management) and €34.2 billion in commitments (under shared management) were made available to combat Covid-19 in 2020. MEPs believe that due to a relaxation of the rules as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, the EU has seen an increase in the risk of non-transparent procedures, abuse and fraud, as evidenced by the criminal activities already uncovered (supply of health equipment and fraudulent vaccine offers).
Decisions on discharges will be put to the vote in the European Parliament plenary from 2 to 5 May. The Committee on Budgetary Control has recommended postponing the closure of the 2020 accounts of the Court of Auditors of the EU, the EU Council and the European Economic and Social Committee (see EUROPE 12903/26). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)