Committee on Budgetary Control. MINUTES Meeting of 3 May 2017, and 4 May 2017, BRUSSELS

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1 European Parliament Committee on Budgetary Control CONT_PV(2017)0503_1 MINUTES Meeting of 3 May 2017, and 4 May 2017, BRUSSELS The meeting opened at on Wednesday, 3 May 2017, with Derek Vaughan (2nd Vice- Chair) presiding. 1. Adoption of agenda The agenda was adopted as shown in these minutes. 2. Chair s announcements The Chair drew the attention of Members to the information in the CONT News. *** Electronic vote *** 3. Cost effectiveness of the 7th Research Programme CONT/8/ /2318(INI) Co- Martina Dlabajová (ALDE) rapporteurs: Inés Ayala Sender (S&D) Responsible: CONT Opinions: ITRE Adoption of draft report PR PE v02-00 AM PE v01-00 The following spoke: Derek Vaughan The draft report was adopted as amended by 22 votes in favour, no votes against and no abstentions. Amendments adopted: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 63 and 64 Amendments rejected: 5, 7, 8, 11, 17, 24, 32, 33, 44, 45, 46, 53, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62. *** End of electronic vote *** PV\ docx PE v01-00 United in diversity

2 Point 5 was presided by Derek Vaughan and was dealt with before point 4; Ingeborg Gräßle (Chair) took over the chair at 16: CONT mission to Washington (22 to 26 May 2017) CONT/8/09815 Rapporteur: Ingeborg Gräßle (PPE) Exchange of views on the preparation of the ad hoc delegation to Washington The following spoke: Ingeborg Gräßle, Victoria Gil Casado (European Commission, DG BUDG), Tomáš Zdechovský and Georgi Pirinski. 5. ECA Special Report 1/2017 (Discharge 2016): More efforts needed to implement the Natura 2000 network to its full potential CONT/8/09615 Rapporteur: Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE) DT PE v01-00 Presentation of the Special Report by the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible, Nikolaos Milionis, and consideration of working document The following spoke: Derek Vaughan, Tomáš Zdechovský, Nikolaos Milionis (ECA Member), Nedzhmi Ali, Luke Ming Flanagan, Karin Kadenbach, Benedek Jávor, and Humberto Delgado Rosa (European Commission, DG V). At 16:15, Ingeborg Gräßle (Chair) took over the floor. 6. General budget of the European Union for the financial year all sections CONT/8/ /2044(BUD) Rapporteur Joachim Zeller (PPE) for the opinion: Responsible: BUDG Siegfried Mureşan (PPE) Richard Ashworth (ECR) Opinions: AFET, DEVE, INTA, CONT, ECON, EMPL, VI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI Exchange of views with the General Rapporteur of the 2018 Budget, Mr Muresan The following spoke: Ingeborg Gräßle, Siegfried Mureşan, Joachim Zeller, Johan Ureel (European Commission, DG BUDG), and Petri Sarvamaa. 7. Exchange of views on allegations made by the President of Moldova on the misuse of EU funds in his country CONT/8/09834 Exchange of views with Commission representatives The following spoke: Ingeborg Gräßle, Maciej Popowski (European Commission, DG NEAR), Joachim Zeller, Rebecca Harms, Cătălin Sorin Ivan and Petri Sarvamaa. 8. CONT mission to Jordan and Lebanon (20-23 September 2016) CONT/8/06642 Rapporteur: Ingeborg Gräßle (PPE) Presentation of the delegation report PE v /23 PV\ docx

3 The following spoke: Ingeborg Gräßle, Caterina Chinnici, Joachim Zeller, and Maciej Popowski (European Commission, DG NEAR). 9. CONT mission to Turkey (2-4 November 2016) CONT/8/08015 Rapporteur: Ingeborg Gräßle (PPE) Presentation of the delegation report The following spoke: Ingeborg Gräßle, Joachim Zeller, and Maciej Popowski (European Commission, DG NEAR). The meeting closed at May 2017, In camera 10. Coordinators meeting The summary of coordinators recommendations is annexed to these minutes. * * * 4 May 2017, Joint workshop with the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) The meeting opened at 10:11 with Ingeborg Gräßle presiding and continued at 10:21 with Ingeborg Gräßle (CONT Chair) and Monika Hohlmeier (BUDG, 4th Vice-Chair) co-chairing. The meeting continued at 10:40 with Monika Hohlmeier presiding. 11. Workshop on "Oversight and resources of partially and fully self-financed agencies" CJ13/8/09797 Rapporteurs Derek Vaughan (S&D) Jens Geier (S&D) The following spoke: Ingeborg Gräßle, Derek Vaughan, Monika Hohlmeier, Silvano Presa (European Commission, DG BUDG), Alberto Spagnolli (European Food Safety Authority), Ellen Vos (Academic Research Network on Agencification of EU Executive Governance), Martin Ekvad (Community Plant Variety Office), Jean-Michel Mastio (European Aviation Safety Authority), Rimantas Šadžius (ECA Member), Patricija Šulin, Tomáš Zdechovský, Nerimantas Steikunas (European Medicines Agency), Patrice Pellegrino (European Union Intellectual Property Office). 12. Any other business None PV\ docx 3/23 PE v01-00

4 13. Next meetings 29 May 2017, (Brussels) 30 May 2017, and (Brussels) 21 June 2017, and (Brussels) 22 June 2017, (Brussels) The meeting closed at PE v /23 PV\ docx

5 Results of roll-call votes Contents 3.1. Final vote... 6 Key to symbols: + : in favour - : against 0 : abstention PV\ docx 5/23 PE v01-00

6 3. Cost effectiveness of the 7th Research Programme CONT/8/ Final vote 22 + ALDE ECR EFDD GUE/NGL PPE S&D Verts/ALE Nedzhmi Ali, Martina Dlabajová, Hannu Takkula Monica Macovei Marco Valli Luke Ming Flanagan Lefteris Christoforou, Andrey Novakov, Julia Pitera, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Petri Sarvamaa, Tomáš Zdechovský, Patricija Šulin Inés Ayala Sender, Cătălin Sorin Ivan, Karin Kadenbach, Arndt Kohn, Georgi Pirinski, Alfred Sant, Derek Vaughan Bart Staes, Indrek Tarand Corrections to vote PE v /23 PV\ docx

7 ПРИСЪСТВЕН ЛИСТ/LISTA DE ASISTCIA/PREZČNÍ LISTINA/DELTAGERLISTE/ ANWESHEITSLISTE/KOHALOLIJATE NIMEKIRI/ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΠΑΡΟΝΤΩΝ/RECORD OF ATTDANCE/ LISTE DE PRÉSCE/POPIS NAZOČNIH/ELCO DI PRESZA/APMEKLĒJUMU REĢISTRS/DALYVIŲ SĄRAŠAS/ JELLÉTI ÍV/REĠISTRU TA' ATTDZA/PRESTIELIJST/LISTA OBECNOŚCI/LISTA DE PRESÇAS/ LISTĂ DE PREZŢĂ/PREZČNÁ LISTINA/SEZNAM NAVZOČIH/LÄSNÄOLOLISTA/DELTAGARLISTA Бюро/Mesa/Předsednictvo/Formandskabet/Vorstand/Juhatus/Προεδρείο/Bureau/Predsjedništvo/Ufficio di presidenza/prezidijs/ Biuras/Elnökség/Prezydium/Birou/Predsedníctvo/Predsedstvo/Puheenjohtajisto/Presidiet (*) Ingeborg Gräßle (1, 2), Derek Vaughan (1, 2), Indrek Tarand (1, 2), Martina Dlabajová (1), Cătălin Sorin Ivan (1). Членове/Diputados/Poslanci/Medlemmer/Mitglieder/Parlamendiliikmed/Μέλη/Members/Députés/Zastupnici/Deputati/Deputāti/Nariai/ Képviselõk/Membri/Leden/Posłowie/Deputados/Deputaţi/Jäsenet/Ledamöter Nedzhmi Ali (1, 2), Inés Ayala Sender (1), Dennis de Jong (2), Luke Ming Flanagan (1), Arndt Kohn (1), Monica Macovei (1), Georgi Pirinski (1), José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra (1), Petri Sarvamaa (1, 2), Bart Staes (1, 2), Hannu Takkula (1), Marco Valli (1, 2), Tomáš Zdechovský (1, 2), Joachim Zeller (1) Заместници/Suplentes/Náhradníci/Stedfortrædere/Stellvertreter/Asendusliikmed/Αναπληρωτές/Substitutes/Suppléants/Zamjenici/ Supplenti/Aizstājēji/Pavaduojantysnariai/Póttagok/Sostituti/Plaatsvervangers/Zastępcy/Membros suplentes/supleanţi/náhradníci/ Namestniki/Varajäsenet/Suppleanter Richard Ashworth (2), Caterina Chinnici (1), Brian Hayes (2), Monika Hohlmeier (2), Benedek Jávor (1), Karin Kadenbach (1), Andrey Novakov (1), Julia Pitera (1), Patricija Šulin (1, 2). 200 (2) Lefteris Christoforou (1, 2), Rebecca Harms (1), Siegfried Mureşan (1), Liadh Ní Riada (2), Alfred Sant (1), Inese Vaidere (2). 206 (3) 53 (6) (Точка от дневния ред/punto del orden del día/bod pořadu jednání (OJ)/Punkt på dagsordenen/tagesordnungspunkt/ Päevakorra punkt/ημερήσια Διάταξη Σημείο/Agenda item/point OJ/Točka dnevnog reda/punto all'ordine del giorno/darba kārtības punkts/darbotvarkės punktas/napirendi pont/punt Aġenda/Agendapunt/Punkt porządku dziennego/ponto OD/Punct de pe ordinea de zi/bod programu schôdze/točka UL/Esityslistan kohta/föredragningslista punkt) Присъствал на/presente el/přítomný dne/til stede den/anwesend am/viibis(id) kohal/παρών στις/present on/présent le/nazočni dana/presente il/piedalījās/ Dalyvauja/Jelen volt/preżenti fi/aanwezig op/obecny dnia/presente em/prezent/prítomný dňa/navzoči dne/läsnä/närvarande den: (1) (2) PV\ docx 7/23 PE v01-00

8 Наблюдатели/Observadores/Pozorovatelé/Observatører/Beobachter/Vaatlejad/Παρατηρητές/Observers/Observateurs/Promatrači/ Osservatori/Novērotāji/Stebėtojai/Megfigyelők/Osservaturi/Waarnemers/Obserwatorzy/Observadores/Observatori/Pozorovatelia/ Opazovalci/Tarkkailijat/Observatörer По покана на председателя/por invitación del presidente/na pozvání předsedy/efter indbydelse fra formanden/auf Einladung des Vorsitzenden/Esimehe kutsel/με πρόσκληση του Προέδρου/At the invitation of the Chair(wo)man/Sur l'invitation du président/ Na poziv predsjednika/su invito del presidente/pēc priekšsēdētāja uzaicinājuma/pirmininkui pakvietus/az elnök meghívására/ Fuq stedina taċ-'chairman'/op uitnodiging van de voorzitter/na zaproszenie Przewodniczącego/A convite do Presidente/La invitaţia preşedintelui/na pozvanie predsedu/na povabilo predsednika/puheenjohtajan kutsusta/på ordförandens inbjudan Съвет/Consejo/Rada/Rådet/Rat/Nõukogu/Συμβούλιο/Council/Conseil/Vijeće/Consiglio/Padome/Taryba/Tanács/Kunsill/Raad/ Conselho/Consiliu/Svet/Neuvosto/Rådet (*) Комисия/Comisión/Komise/Kommissionen/Kommission/Euroopa Komisjon/Επιτροπή/Commission/Komisija/Commissione/Bizottság/ Kummissjoni/Commissie/Komisja/Comissão/Comisie/Komisia/Komissio/Kommissionen (*) Victoria Gil Casado (DG BUDG), Humberto Delgado Rosa (DG V), Johan Ureel (DG BUDG), Silvano Presa (DG BUDG), Maciej Popowski (DG NEAR) Други институции/otras instituciones/ostatní orgány a instituce/andre institutioner/andere Organe/Muud institutsioonid/ Άλλα θεσμικά όργανα/other institutions/autres institutions/druge institucije/altre istituzioni/citas iestādes/kitos institucijos/ Más intézmények/istituzzjonijiet oħra/andere instellingen/inne instytucje/outras Instituições/Alte instituţii/iné inštitúcie/muut toimielimet/andra institutioner/organ ECA EFSA TARN CPVO EASA EMA IPO Nikolaos Milionis (Member), Rimantas Šadžius (Member) Alberto Spagnolli Ellen Vos Martin Ekvad Jean-Michel Mastio Nerimantas Steikunas Patrice Pellegrino Други участници/otros participantes/ostatní účastníci/endvidere deltog/andere Teilnehmer/Muud osalejad/επίσης Παρόντες/Other participants/autres participants/drugi sudionici/altri partecipanti/citi klātesošie/kiti dalyviai/más résztvevők/parteċipanti ohra/andere aanwezigen/inni uczestnicy/outros participantes/alţi participanţi/iní účastníci/drugi udeleženci/muut osallistujat/övriga deltagare PE v /23 PV\ docx

9 Секретариат на политическите групи/secretaría de los Grupos políticos/sekretariát politických skupin/gruppernes sekretariat/ Sekretariat der Fraktionen/Fraktsioonide sekretariaat/γραμματεία των Πολιτικών Ομάδων/Secretariats of political groups/secrétariat des groupes politiques/tajništva klubova zastupnika/segreteria gruppi politici/politisko grupu sekretariāts/frakcijų sekretoriai/ Képviselőcsoportok titkársága/segretarjat gruppi politiċi/fractiesecretariaten/sekretariat Grup Politycznych/Secr. dos grupos políticos/secretariate grupuri politice/sekretariát politických skupín/sekretariat političnih skupin/poliittisten ryhmien sihteeristöt/ Gruppernas sekretariat PPE S&D ECR ALDE GUE/NGL Verts/ALE EFDD Balazs Szechy, Sabina Van Der Lande, Edyta Tarczynska Sarah Clarkson, Maddalena Cremascoli Kamila Wrzesinska Aivars Berners, Orsolya Balogh Carmen Hilario, Antoine Bazantay Robert Godina, Roccu Garoby Barbara Gatto F NI Кабинет на председателя/gabinete del Presidente/Kancelář předsedy/formandens Kabinet/Kabinett des Präsidenten/Presidendi kantselei/γραφείο Προέδρου/President's Office/Cabinet du Président/Ured predsjednika/gabinetto del Presidente/Priekšsēdētāja kabinets/pirmininko kabinetas/elnöki hivatal/kabinett tal-president/kabinet van de Voorzitter/Gabinet Przewodniczącego/Gabinete do Presidente/Cabinet Preşedinte/Kancelária predsedu/urad predsednika/puhemiehen kabinetti/talmannens kansli Кабинет на генералния секретар/gabinete del Secretario General/Kancelář generálního tajemníka/generalsekretærens Kabinet/ Kabinett des Generalsekretärs/Peasekretäri büroo/γραφείο Γενικού Γραμματέα/Secretary-General's Office/Cabinet du Secrétaire général/ured glavnog tajnika/gabinetto del Segretario generale/ģenerālsekretāra kabinets/generalinio sekretoriaus kabinetas/ Főtitkári hivatal/kabinett tas-segretarju Ġenerali/Kabinet van de secretaris-generaal/gabinet Sekretarza Generalnego/Gabinete do Secretário-Geral/Cabinet Secretar General/Kancelária generálneho tajomníka/urad generalnega sekretarja/pääsihteerin kabinetti/ Generalsekreterarens kansli Генерална дирекция/dirección General/Generální ředitelství/generaldirektorat/generaldirektion/peadirektoraat/γενική Διεύθυνση/ Directorate-General/Direction générale/glavna uprava/direzione generale/ģenerāldirektorāts/generalinis direktoratas/főigazgatóság/ Direttorat Ġenerali/Directoraten-generaal/Dyrekcja Generalna/Direcção-Geral/Direcţii Generale/Generálne riaditeľstvo/generalni direktorat/pääosasto/generaldirektorat DG PRES DG IPOL DG EXPO DG EPRS DG COMM DG PERS DG INLO DG TRAD DG INTE DG FINS DG ITEC DG SAFE Armin Wisdorff PV\ docx 9/23 PE v01-00

10 Правна служба/servicio Jurídico/Právní služba/juridisk Tjeneste/Juristischer Dienst/Õigusteenistus/Νομική Υπηρεσία/Legal Service/ Service juridique/pravna služba/servizio giuridico/juridiskais dienests/teisės tarnyba/jogi szolgálat/servizz legali/juridische Dienst/ Wydział prawny/serviço Jurídico/Serviciu Juridic/Právny servis/oikeudellinen yksikkö/rättstjänsten Секретариат на комисията/secretaría de la comisión/sekretariát výboru/udvalgssekretariatet/ausschusssekretariat/komisjoni sekretariaat/γραμματεία επιτροπής/committee secretariat/secrétariat de la commission/tajništvo odbora/segreteria della commissione/ Komitejas sekretariāts/komiteto sekretoriatas/a bizottság titkársága/segretarjat tal-kumitat/commissiesecretariaat/sekretariat komisji/ Secretariado da comissão/secretariat comisie/sekretariat odbora/valiokunnan sihteeristö/utskottssekretariatet Evelyn Waldherr, Philippe Godts, Tereza Pinto de Rezende, Olivier Sautière and Hrvoje Svetic. Сътрудник/Asistente/Asistent/Assistent/Assistenz/Βοηθός/Assistant/Assistente/Palīgs/Padėjėjas/Asszisztens/Asystent/Pomočnik/ Avustaja/Assistenter Catherine Coninckx * (P) = Председател/Presidente/Předseda/Formand/Vorsitzender/Esimees/Πρόεδρος/Chair(wo)man/Président/Predsjednik/Priekšsēdētājs/ Pirmininkas/Elnök/'Chairman'/Voorzitter/Przewodniczący/Preşedinte/Predseda/Predsednik/Puheenjohtaja/Ordförande (VP) = Заместник-председател/Vicepresidente/Místopředseda/Næstformand/Stellvertretender Vorsitzender/Aseesimees/Αντιπρόεδρος/ Vice-Chair(wo)man/Potpredsjednik/Vice-Président/Potpredsjednik/Priekšsēdētāja vietnieks/pirmininko pavaduotojas/alelnök/ Viċi 'Chairman'/Ondervoorzitter/Wiceprzewodniczący/Vice-Presidente/Vicepreşedinte/Podpredseda/Podpredsednik/ Varapuheenjohtaja/Vice ordförande (M) = Член/Miembro/Člen/Medlem./Mitglied/Parlamendiliige/Μέλος/Member/Membre/Član/Membro/Deputāts/Narys/Képviselő/ Membru/Lid/Członek/Membro/Membru/Člen/Poslanec/Jäsen/Ledamot (F) = Длъжностно лице/funcionario/úředník/tjenestemand/beamter/ametnik/υπάλληλος/official/fonctionnaire/dužnosnik/ Funzionario/Ierēdnis/Pareigūnas/Tisztviselő/Uffiċjal/Ambtenaar/Urzędnik/Funcionário/Funcţionar/Úradník/Uradnik/Virkamies/ Tjänsteman PE v /23 PV\ docx

11 WEDNESDAY, 3 MAY Room: Altiero Spinelli (1G-3) ISSUE N 9 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGDA The draft agenda was ed to Members on 27 April 2017 and is in the file for the meeting. 2. CHAIR S ANNOUNCEMTS The Chair draws attention to the following points: Languages available FR, DE, IT, NL,, EL, ES, FI, CS, ET, HU, LT, PL, SL, BG, RO. Webstreaming The CONT meeting is webstreamed on the Europarl web-site. Please be aware that each time a speaker activates the microphone to make an intervention, the camera will be automatically directed to the speaker. Voting cards The electronic voting system will be used for the vote and Members are reminded to bring their electronic voting card. PV\ docx 11/23 PE v01-00

12 WEDNESDAY, 3 MAY PUBLIC MEETING *** ELECTRONIC VOTING *** 3. COST EFFECTIVESS OF THE 7TH RESEARCH PROGRAMME CONT/8/05051 Adoption of draft INI report Co-Rapporteurs: Inés Ayala Sender (S&D) and Martina Dlabajová (ALDE) Administrator: Christian Ehlers Shadow Rapporteurs: Andrey Novakov (EPP), Younous Omarjee (GUE/NGL), Indrek Tarand (Greens/EFA), Marco Valli (EFDD) The Committee decided to look into the question, whether the seventh research framework programme (FP7) was implemented in a cost-effective way. The two rapporteurs arrived at the conclusion that the Commission overall managed the FP7 cost effectively. Nevertheless, they call on the Commission to ensure that modernisations introduced under Horizon 2020, such as flat rates for indirect costs, a single audit strategy, single participant portal, etc., are applied in a similar way in other policy areas, e.g. structural funds, and stress that all grant beneficiaries should be treated fairly and evenly. The rapporteurs also voiced concern about the fact that in their evaluation reports both agencies, the Research Executive Agency (REA) and the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA), point out that the feedback loops and communication between the Commission and the executive agencies could be further improved. 64 amendments have been tabled by the Members. The voting list will be circulated as soon as possible. The draft report and amendments are available on the CONT website. CONT Timetable: Event Body Date Adoption in Plenary Plenary JUNE (tbc) *** D OF ELECTRONIC VOTING *** PE v /23 PV\ docx

13 4. CONT DELEGATION TO WASHINGTON (22-26 MAY 2017) CONT/8/09815 Exchange of views on the delegation programme Rapporteur: Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP) Administrator: Olivier Sautière The Committee on Budgetary Control is organising a fact-finding mission to Washington D.C. from 22 to 26 May 2017 with a threefold objective: to discuss with the World Bank and possibly with the United Nations Development Programme their overseeing and cooperation frameworks when the management of EU funds is at stake in joint programmes; to exchange views on experiences and challenges related to the implementation of performance audits by the US Government Accountability Office; and to meet with various US oversight entities (House Committee on the Budget, House Committee on Oversight, Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB)) in order to learn how efficient, effective and transparent spending is ensured in the US federal budget. This exchange of views with European Commission s services provides an opportunity to have preliminary information on EU-funded programs managed on behalf of the Commission by the World Bank Group and the United Nations Development Programme. 5. ECA SPECIAL REPORT N 1/2017 (2016 DISCHARGE) ON MORE EFFORTS NEEDED TO IMPLEMT THE NATURA 2000 NETWORK TO ITS FULL POTTIAL CONT/8/09615 Presentation of the Special Report by the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible, Nikolaos Millionis, and consideration of working document Rapporteur: Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP) Administrator: Christian Ehlers Biodiversity loss is one of the main environmental challenges facing the EU. A key element of the EU s 2020 strategy to halt biodiversity loss and improve the status of habitats and species is the Natura 2000 network established under the Birds and Habitats Directives. These directives provide a common framework for nature protection across the Member States. Covering more than 18 % of the EU s land area and around 6 % of the EU s sea area, the Natura 2000 network has over sites all over Europe, protecting diverse habitats and species. In order to deliver on the headline target of halting biodiversity loss by 2020, the EU biodiversity strategy sets six operational targets, comprising 20 actions. The Court s report focused on the first target, which relates to the Natura 2000 network and the full implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives, widely known as the Nature Directives. These directives established the Natura 2000 network as a coherent European ecological network of special areas of conservation (SACs) The objective of the audit was to answer the question: Has the Natura 2000 network been appropriately implemented? The Court analysed in particular whether: has the Natura 2000 network been appropriately managed? has the Natura 2000 been appropriately financed?, and PV\ docx 13/23 PE v01-00

14 has the Natura 2000 been appropriately monitored? The Court concluded that the Natura 2000 network had not been implemented to its full potential. Significant progress is needed from the Member States, and more efforts from the Commission, in order to better contribute to the ambitious goals of the EU 2020 biodiversity strategy. In particular, the Court was of the opinion that Member States were not managing the Natura 2000 network sufficiently well. Coordination between relevant authorities, stakeholders participation and cross-border cooperation were not sufficiently developed. The Court found that the Commission actively supervised the implementation of Natura 2000, although there was scope to improve the dissemination of its guidance to the Member States. According to the Court the EU funds were not well mobilised to support the management of the Natura 2000 network. There was a lack of reliable information on the EU funds used for Natura 2000 over the programming period. There were weaknesses in the preparation of Prioritized Action Frameworks (PAFs) by Member States, and the assessment of funding needs for the programming period was not accurate. The Court was of the opinion that EU funding schemes, in particular under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and regional/cohesion policy, were insufficiently tailored to the objectives of the Natura 2000 sites. The rapporteur fully supports the Natura 2000 network established under the Birds and Habitats Directives as a key element of the EU s 2020 strategy, with the view to halting biodiversity loss and improving the status of habitats and species. He welcomes the Court s special report and endorses its recommendations; at the same time he is deeply concerned by many of the Court s findings. He is of the opinion that financial allocations for Natura 2000 must be identifiable and their use traceable, otherwise the impact of investments cannot be measured. The rapporteur also notes with surprise that the Commission assessed the effectiveness and relevance of nature legislation in 2014/2015 and that consultants presented first draft findings during a conference on 20 November 2015 and that however, the Commission s evaluation had not been finalized by the time the Court s audit work was completed in September He calls on the Commission to inform its competent committees of the evaluation findings. The rapporteur s working document is available on the CONT web site. The rapporteur s conclusions will form part of the Commission s discharge report for the financial year GERAL BUDGET OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ALL SECTIONS CONT/8/09504 Exchange of views with the General Rapporteur for the 2018 Budget, Siegfried Mureşan Rapporteur: Joachim Zeller (EPP) Administrator: Philippe Godts As usual, the General Rapporteur for the next EU budget, will visit the parliamentary committees in order to exchange views on their priorities. CONT will have on 3 May the opportunity to debate with the general Rapporteur, Mr Muresan, on its main concerns as expressed in the last resolutions on the discharge for 2015 and in the framework of the Guidelines for the budget 2018 adopted by the plenary on 15 March The European PE v /23 PV\ docx

15 Parliament stated in particular that, while maintaining budget discipline, the EU budget must be equipped with the tools to enable it to respond to multiple crises simultaneously, a certain level of flexibility thus being required. The Parliament was also of the opinion that, while growth and jobs continue to remain the core priorities of the EU budget, obtaining sustainable progress and development in these fields has to be accomplished in parallel to addressing EU citizens concerns regarding safety and security. 7. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON ALLEGATIONS MADE BY THE PRESIDT OF MOLDOVA ON THE MISUSE OF EU FUNDS IN HIS COUNTRY CONT/8/09834 Exchange of views with Commission representatives (to be confirmed) The President of Moldova, Mr Igor Dodon, during his visit to Brussels in February 2017, asked President Tusk for EU assistance to investigate allegations of fraud concerning billions of euros in the Moldovan banking system, which was financed by the EU. Additionally, he declared that, between 2007 and 2015, more than 782 million was used to support the transformation of Moldova. According to Mr Dodon, more than half of this money has been affected by fraud ( The Commission explained that it had applied strict measures to ensure that EU Funds to Moldova have been spent correctly and based on results. The Commission clarified that the amount of 782 million, referred to by President Dodon, was in fact the amount allocated to Moldova during 2008 to 2015, but so far, the Commission has paid 363 million. The Commission invited President Dodon to inform relevant institutions, including the EU, if he has actual evidence of wrongdoing, in such cases, the Commission would take all necessary actions, including suspension of related payments, as it has done previously. The ECA carried out an audit on the EU support to Moldova, which was discussed in CONT on 8 December The ECA concluded that the EU faces significant challenges with regards to implementing assistance in Moldova. Political and macroeconomic instability, poor governance and weak public administration significantly reduce the Commission s leverage to encourage reform and that the EU assistance only partially contributed to strengthening the public administration. External factors account for a number of the shortcomings observed. Others could be attributed to weaknesses in the design and implementation of the audited programs and projects. In his working document, the CONT rapporteur, Mr Tamas Zdechovsky, called on the Commission to continue to follow the principles of sound financial management. He encouraged the Commission to prioritise projects with high potential in key areas such as public procurement or selection procedures, and to avoid financing projects with limited prospects of sustainability. 8. CONT DELEGATION TO JORDAN-LEBANON (20-23 SEPTEMBER 2016) CONT/8/06642 Exchange of views on the delegation report Rapporteur: Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP) Administrator: Michal Czaplicki The 1948 Arab-Israeli war has created a huge out flux of Palestinian refugees who have settled in the neighbouring Arab countries. Jordan and Lebanon are the countries hosting the highest number of Palestinian refugees over 2 million in Jordan and half a million in Lebanon. The Palestinian refugees are being taken care of by UNRWA the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which has been created exclusively for this purpose. Since 1971 the EU is contributing between 100 and 175 million euro annually PV\ docx 15/23 PE v01-00

16 to UNRWA. As this is a long-term commitment of the EU, with no clear end-date in sight, the Budgetary Control Committee decided to monitor the efficiency of spending of these funds. The delegation consisted of seven Members. It took place from 20 until 23 September The program was split into two parts. The first part took place in Lebanon (20-21 September), where the CONT Delegation run in parallel with the LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee) Delegation. The LIBE delegation focused on civil liberties aspects of the refugees hosted by Lebanon. Both Committees have closely coordinated activities in order to avoid any overlap, as recommended by the Conference of Presidents of the EP. The second part of the delegation took place in Jordan (21-23 September), where additionally to the issue of the Palestinian refugees, the delegation monitored also the situation of the Syrian refugees, as Jordan hosts 1.8 million of them. The mission report is available on the CONT website. 9. CONT DELEGATION TO TURKEY (1-4 NOVEMBER 2016) CONT/8/08015 Exchange of views on the delegation report Rapporteur: Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP) Administrator: Michal Czaplicki Turkey is an associate member of the European Economic Community since It became a candidate country in Negotiations with the European Union started in 2005 and since then Turkey obtains EU pre-accession funds. Turkey is also one of the countries hosting the highest number of Syrian refugees. Since 2011, the country welcomed over 2.7 million of them. More than 90% of Syrians live among the Turkish population and only 10% in the camps. Turkey is also situated on the major immigration route from Asia and Africa into Europe. In 2015, Turkey became the origin of a mass influx of refugees into the EU. The EU decided to remedy this by, inter alia, providing Turkey with a Facility for Refugee program, which includes 3 billion euro of aid. In the light of the above, the Budgetary Control Committee decided to organise a delegation to Turkey in order to monitor how the pre-accession funds are being implemented and how Turkey is using the money provided in the Facility for Refugees program. The program of the delegation started with official visits in Ankara, where the delegation met with the representatives of the central authorities the Turkish Grand National Assembly and with various ministries responsible for implementing EU funds. The delegation met also with representatives of international organisations responsible for humanitarian aid. The second part of the visit included visits in Eastern Anatolia, where the delegation visited two cities Kayseri and Kahramanmaras. In Kayseri, the delegation visited a removal center for asylum seekers and a technology park funded by pre-accession funds. In Kahramanmaras the delegation visited a Syrian refugee camp and a school teaching Syrian children. The delegation consisted of six Members and was chaired by Ms Inge Gräßle. The mission report is available on the CONT website. PE v /23 PV\ docx

17 THURSDAY, 4 MAY IN CAMERA 10. COORDINATORS MEETING Meeting held in Camera THURSDAY, 4 MAY PUBLIC MEETING 11. JOINT CONT-BUDG WORKSHOP ON "OVERSIGHT AND RESOURCES OF PARTIALLY AND FULLY SELF-FINANCED AGCIES" CJ13/8/09797 Co-Rapporteurs: Derek Vaughan (S&D) & Jens Geir (S&D) Administrator: Rudolfs Verdins committee. Five interventions are foreseen: This workshop is organised following the CONT coordinators request of 6 October, and their decision of 23 January 2017 to organise it as a joint BUDG and CONT committees event. The rapporteurs for the workshop are Mr Derek Vaughan, Vice-chair of CONT committee, and Mr Jens Geier, standing rapporteur for the Agencies in BUDG Mr Silvano Presa, Deputy Director General at the European Commission; Mr Bernhard Url, Executive Director, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, currently presiding over the Agencies network); Prof. Ellen Vos, Leading project partner, representing The Academic Research Network on Agencification of EU Executive Governance (TARN); Mr Martin Ekvad, President of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO, a fully self-financed agency); and Mr Patrick Ky, Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA, a partially self-financed agency). The workshop aims to address topics concerning fully and partially self-financed agencies related to both CONT and BUDG committees competences. From the point of oversight, items for discussion may include the question of discharge procedure for fully self-financed agencies, prevention of conflict of interest in case of the fee collecting agencies, ECA financial audit outsourcing provisions, and the question of carryovers. With regards of the agencies resources, the workshop may look into the principles of fee setting, and 5% cut and the redeployment pool vs. need to provide timely services to industry which is paying for them. Points of interest for PV\ docx 17/23 PE v01-00

18 both BUDG and CONT remain the questions of performance, efficiency and effectiveness, such as indicators for measuring outputs and ways to compare them across the agencies, developing synergies and shared services, and possible grouping or clustering of the agencies. 12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 13. NEXT MEETINGS 29 May 2017, (Brussels) 30 May 2017, and to (Brussels) 21 June 2017, and (Brussels) 22 June 2017, (Brussels) WATCH LIVE Watch the CONT committee meeting live on the EP website or on Europarl TV PAPERLESS PROGRAMME (INTERNAL USERS ONLY) Access CONT committee meeting documents on emeeting or any CONT committee information on ecommittee FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Contact the CONT Secretariat or visit the website of the CONT committee PE v /23 PV\ docx

19 COORDINATORS' MEETING Thursday, 4 May Brussels, Meeting room ASP 1G3 Summary of Recommendations ITEMS FOR DECISION A. Budgetary Control of financing NGOs from the EU Budget - new timing (TP) Coordinators decided to ask the Court of Auditors for a report on NGO funding from the Union s budget and suspend the INI until the ECA provides additional information in this regard. Decision: Coordinators agreed to postpone the report and wait for the input of the ECA via a specific Special Report to be requested on the subject of NGO financing. B. Annual Structured Dialogue with the European Commission (CE) - Annex I Coordinators decided to include all suggestions received by written procedure regarding the draft letter on the annual Structured Dialogue with 10 key messages from CONT. Decision: The Coordinators approved the draft letter, taking into account the suggestions received from the groups. The letter which will be sent to the CCC is the Annex I of this note. C. Selection procedure for the function of Director-General of OLAF (CE/PG) The Coordinators discussed the remarks by the Chair on the Commission's draft vacancy notice for the recruitment of a new OLAF Director-General and were invited to send suggestions by written procedure. PV\ docx 19/23 PE v01-00

20 Decision: It was agreed, by written procedure, to add a further qualification criteria (under the chapter Applicants should ): Have an excellent knowledge of the institutional and legal framework of the Union. This comment will be sent to the Commission. D. Follow-up on Commission discharge 2015 (PG) Following up on the 2015 discharge, Coordinators agreed that each group should designate one Member to take part in the preparation of the Commission s next Conference on Budget Focused on Results. Decision: Coordinators are invited to designate Members to take part in the preparation of the next Commission s Conference on EU Budget Focussed on Results. D (new). Follow-up on Council s discharge Coordinators agreed to set-up a working group formed by one MEP and one adviser of each political group in order to address the issue of the deadlock over the Council s discharge. The working group should start working before the summer break. Decision: Coordinators are invited to designate Members and advisers to follow-up on the Council s discharge. E. Preparation of Commission discharge for 2016: new timeline based on earlier publication of the ECA Annual Report (PG) The Court of Auditors plans to publish its Annual Report already on 28 September This would allow to adapt the discharge cycle accordingly, so as to advance the vote in plenary to the March plenary session. The CONT Secretariat is invited to provide a timetable for the next Coordinators meeting. Decision: Coordinators decided that CONT should present a timeline for the 2016 discharge. F. Possible joint meeting with VI on track and trace of tobacco products (PG) Coordinators decided to organise a joint exchange of views with VI inviting the Commission, NGOs and representatives from the tobacco industry to give an update on the track and trace of tobacco products before the summer break. PE v /23 PV\ docx

21 Decision: Coordinators approved to hold a joint meeting with VI on track and trace of tobacco products G. Appointment of rapporteurs Opinion Title Secretariat proposal Main committee 2017/0068(COD) COM(2017)0150 (referral received on 30/03/17) Fixing the adjustment rate provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 for direct payments in respect of the calendar year 2017 Decision: opinion EPP Group is invited to appoint a rapporteur AGRI 2017/0804 (CNS) Council implementing decision approving the conclusion by Eurojust of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice and Eurojust Decision: no opinion LIBE Decision: Coordinators decided to give an opinion to AGRI but not to LIBE on the above mentioned procedures. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION H. Brexit update (OS) CONT Coordinators decided, by written procedure, to address a formal request to be associated to the BUDG hearing on the Budgetary implications of Brexit. I. Presentation of ECA Special Reports in CONT (OS) Coordinators took note to further discuss the treatment of the ECA Special Reports and other issues of common interest at the exchange of views with the President of the European Court of Auditors, Mr Lehne, on 30 May, during an in camera Coordinator s meeting. J. State of play on the preparation of the annual interinstitutional exchange of views on OLAF (CE) PV\ docx 21/23 PE v01-00

22 Coordinators took note of the topics of discussion for the annual interinstitutional exchange of views on OLAF. The date foreseen for this meeting is 23 November 2017 and is still awaiting confirmation from the other participating institutions. K. CONT opinion to ITRE on amending the regulation establishing the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) (MC) The proposal to issue an opinion on amending the regulation establishing the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) after consulting with the European Parliament (2017/0024(NLE)) was approved by written procedure. This report was announced in Plenary on 3 April 2017 and has been attributed to the ITRE Committee as the competent committee. The calendar has not yet been established. The sector for this opinion is 11: GUE Group Decision: The GUE group is invited to appoint a rapporteur for this opinion to ITRE L. Any other business Mr Sarvamaa proposed a study on Transitional allowances of politicians and senior officials in the EU institutions Too scarce conditions for transfers to public offices?, and developed his proposal as follows: The study would focus on the transitional allowances of EU officials and politicians leaving their office at an EU entity to work for another EU entity, or another public entity (national or municipal). The study would scrutinize the conditions for these allowances of MEPs, Commissioners, Members of the ECA, Presidents of the EIB and other similar high officials and politicians working for the EU. Main focus would be on locating the premises on which these persons are entitled to transitional allowances, especially when transferring to another EU entity or another public entity. The study could provide comparative statistics on the effect of these allowances on the EU budget, and on the control mechanisms related to them. The study could also form a factual basis for any future legal and/or political reforms regarding these allowances. Decision: Coordinators supported Mr Sarvamaa s proposal for this study. M. Time and date of next Coordinators' meeting PE v /23 PV\ docx

23 30 May 2017 in Brussels Present: I. Gräßle - CONT Chair P. Sarvamaa - EPP Group Coordinator T. Zdechovsky - EPP Group Deputy-Coordinator D. Vaughan, 1st Vice-Chair - on behalf of S&D Group Coordinator R. Ashworth - on behalf of ECR Group Coordinator A. Nedzhmi - ALDE Group Coordinator D. de Jong - GUE Group Coordinator B. Staes - Greens Group Coordinator M. Valli - EFDD Group Coordinator I. Tarand, 2nd Vice-Chair PV\ docx 23/23 PE v01-00