ECA: Auditors call for greater accountability in EU finances

15 February 2018

The ECA has called for an increased emphasis on value added in the EU Budget, along with more flexibility and transparency, and greater accountability. The proposals are made in a briefing paper entitled “Reforming how the EU Budget operates”.

The paper is the auditors’ response to the European Commission’s Reflection Paper on the future of EU finances – an important step in developing the next multiannual financial framework.

Jan Gregor, the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the Briefing Paper, said“Although it is not for the European Court of Auditors to give its views on the size or allocation of EU expenditure or on the choice of EU revenues, it is our role to provide advice on improving the financial management, transparency and accountability of the EU budget system.”

The auditors’ main proposals are:

• Define EU value added;
• Make the EU budget more responsive;
• Publish a comprehensive financial plan;
• Put more emphasis on performance;
• Make EU finances more transparent and accountable; and
• Carry out public audits of all EU-related bodies.

The auditors say they should be able to audit all EU bodies and also bodies created outside the EU legal order which implement EU policies. This would include the European Defence Agency, the proposed European Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism and the EIB’s non-EU Budget-related operations. 

Full press release

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