At a time when the European Commission has proposed merging several external action instruments for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 into a new ‘Global Europe’ regulation (see EUROPE 13683/1), the European Court of Auditors issued an opinion on Tuesday 10 February highlighting several risks for the EU’s financial management.
In particular, the auditors consider that the planned envelope of €200.3 billion - around 70% more than in the EU’s current financial framework (MFF 2021-2027) - is not backed up by a quantitative analysis, and that the increased flexibility could limit the predictability of funding for the EU’s partner countries. They also warn of the potential increase in European borrowing linked to the loans envisaged for Ukraine.
The Court also points out that the possible use of direct award to support investments in the “strategic” interest of the EU could go against the principle of competition, transparency and equal treatment. It also states that the involvement of private entities in the management of budgetary guarantees would further expose the European budget to potential risks.
The auditors call on the Commission to strengthen performance-orientation, transparency and accountability in the implementation of the future instrument, particularly in the plans concluded with the partner countries. They also recommend that their audit rights be explicitly included in the regulations, given the difficulties encountered in the past in accessing certain documents.
To see the Court’s opinion: https://aeur.eu/f/ko0 (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)