Brussels, 06/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the EcoFin Council recommended that the European Parliament discharge the European Commission for the implementation of the budget 2000. This recommendation was adopted unanimously, with a declaration by the Dutch and Austrian delegations calling for the Court of Auditors to provide the Council with information on the level of error in subjacent operations to payments. The Council praises the number of positive aspects the Court of Auditors' annual report 2000 refers to, while aware that the Commission has not yet attained the objectives set in the framework of the reform (notably that of the financial regulation).
Ministers also note the persistent large surpluses at the end of the financial year, a tendency that "could affect the credibility and sound management of the Community budget". The Council stresses the fact that, although most of the expenditure is spent in Member States and managed by national organisations, this does not alter the Commission's final responsibility regarding the implementation of the budget, due to the treaty provisions. It is, however, concerned because the Court of Auditors has not yet been able to issue a positive declaration of assurance, due to the unacceptable incidents of errors in subjacent operations to the payments, but takes note of the Court of Auditors' positive assessment of own-resources, commitments and administrative expenditure. The Council again calls on the Court of Auditors to set up indicators allowing for comparisons from one year to the next.