AUTHORS: Axel Volkery

IEEP’s Axel Volkery presented a report on execution of annual EU budgets to the Committee of the Regions Ad-hoc Commission on the EU Budget, highlighting needs and implications for local and regional authorities.

IEEP has authored a study for the Temporary Commission on the EU budget of the Committee of the Regions. The study analyses the execution of the EU budgets from 2007 onwards and discusses relevant implications for local and regional authorities. Based on a thorough evaluation of European Court of Auditors reports the study finds that progress has been made but major areas of concern remain, including error rates in Cohesion Policy, withdrawal practice, and underpinning lacks in information and evaluation systems. The study also analyses the development of outstanding commitments and payments over time and appraises implications for local and regional authorities. Gaps in meeting current commitments will put greater pressure on annual budgets from 2014 onwards.

Contact: Axel Volkery