The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has today published a report pointing out that the EU Commission adequately follows up and implements a large majority of the ECA’s recommendations. According to the report, this has contributed towards improving the financial management in a number of areas of the EU budget.
As Henrik Otbo, the ECA Member responsible for the report, stated: “The ECA adds value by applying its expertise to identify ways to improve financial management. With the EU Commission taking our advice and implementing our recommendations, we are achieving our mission – to help the EU run better”.
The ECA assessed the actions taken by the Commission in response to 62 recommendations and found that 83 % were fully implemented or implemented in most respects, 12 % had been implemented in some respects, while 5 % had not been implemented. The review also showed that the Commission has proper guidelines and procedures in place concerning its follow up activities.
The ECA also highlighted that a number of improvements in various areas reviewed have taken place, as for example, the implementation of better data collection from Member States regarding the EU fruit and vegetable aid programme in agriculture; and the better reporting, monitoring and communication by those delivering the rehabilitation programme after the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
