Filenews 30 August 2022 - by Fanis Makridis
The Republic of Cyprus is under control for the management of European funds, but mainly for the measures it takes to avoid possible illegalities in relation to them.
A team of the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control will be in Cyprus for a period of three days, on 19, 20 and 21 September.
According to information provided by "F", the mission of this special committee aims to ascertain whether the system for directing and controlling European funds received by Cyprus is effective and in particular whether measures are being taken to avoid conflicts of interest, fraud and corruption.
Based on the information gathered by our newspaper, Cyprus is not placed under the microscope of the competent committee of the European Parliament in the context of a broader and institutionalized control of the 27 Member States of the European Union.
According to a competent person from whom we asked for clarifications, the procedure is specific to Cyprus. It has not been clarified to us whether the 'descent' of this body of the European Parliament was decided on the basis of a finding.
As part of its investigative work, the team of this committee is expected to speak with officials from Cyprus who are able to provide information and data in relation to the purposes of the investigation, which aims to see if there are mechanisms in place for the proper management of European funds. Some meetings of the team will take place at the offices of the European Parliament in Cyprus.
The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) consists of a total of 30 members, coming from 16 countries. Its aim is to ensure effective control of the European Union's budget. The committee has been headed since 2019 by German politician Monica Holmeier (EPP). The latter will also head the team that will come to our island in September.
According to the European Parliament's website, the total budget in 2020 was €170 billion. The main responsibility for its management lies with the European Commission. Around 80% of the funds are earmarked for EU Member States, while around 13% are invested globally and 7% are directed to administration.
The Budget Committee of the European Parliament is responsible for the supervision of expenditure under the Next Generation EU programme. This is an additional budget of €750 billion. This huge amount of money is actually financing the recovery of the Countries of the European Union after the coronavirus crisis.
Every year the committee makes assessments of how the European Union's budget has been spent.
At the same time, it has an advisory role, as it puts forward proposals to improve the management of the budget and safeguard the EU's financial interests. One of the measures proposed is to digitalise the auditing and control of EU funds so that it is possible to identify the final recipients of the money.
The Commission's work is supported by the European Court of Auditors. It also has the responsibility of the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the European Anti-Fraud Office.
Finally, it should be noted that the Budget Committee of the European Parliament is responsible for (1) relations with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), (2) the examination of cases of fraud and irregularities in the implementation of the Union budget and measures aimed at preventing and prosecuting such cases, (3) the strict protection of the financial interests of the Union and (4) the relevant actions of the European Public Prosecutor in this field.
INTERVENTION
When we are targeted...
"Where small and his fate", comment several of our fellow citizens, whenever Cyprus is at the centre of control by international bodies for corruption or other negative phenomena. Those who position themselves in this way do not fail to mention that large EU states have corruption issues, but they are not targeted as easily. They are not wrong. Of course, there is the other school of thought. The one that dictates the consolidation and confrontation of corruption phenomena on the domestic front, regardless of what other countries do. Because this ensures a healthy future for our country and our children...
