2023 Discharge: EU General Budget (Court of Auditors)

This decision grants discharge to the High Representative for the European External Action Service's (EEAS) budget implementation for 2023. It acknowledges the EEAS's role in managing administrative expenditure for its headquarters and global network of delegations, including managing staff from other EU bodies.

The European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control reviewed the EEAS's financial management for 2023. The report notes that while administrative expenditure is generally low-risk, some errors were found in procurement procedures, though they were below the materiality threshold.

The EEAS budget for 2023 was approximately EUR 1.1 billion, an increase from the previous year. The report highlights challenges faced, including geopolitical events, inflation, and budget constraints affecting operations and staff well-being, while also noting efforts in digitalization and sustainability.

The resolution outlines observations on the EEAS's performance, including calls for improved transparency, better human resource management, and continued efforts to combat disinformation and ensure ethical conduct. It also emphasizes the need for adequate resources to support the EEAS's global mission.