Brussels, 07/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the European Commission warmly welcomed a voluntary national statement from the Dutch government on the financial control and regularity of Community funding managed at national level in 2006. The Dutch declaration is an annual declaration of the finance minister to the national parliament and the Commission. It provides all the guarantees of objectivity and is made up of sectorial reports by the ministers responsible for the implementation of specific Community funds. Under pressure brought to bear by the European Court of Auditors and the European Parliament, the Commission has long supported the adoption of this kind of declaration. Only the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Denmark have decided to make them. Sweden is also looking into the possibility. According to the Commission, “national statements would not only strengthen the responsibility and political ownership of EU funds at national level, but also improve their financial management, tighten controls and reduce the risk of irregularities”. (ol)