A high-level conference held in Brussels on October 14 considered how accountability throughout the EU could be improved.
The European Court of Auditors described the current system as a ‘complex and enormous industry’ and said it was not surprised to hear of the risk of growing accountability gaps, overlaps and deficits.
ECA president Vítor Caldeira said: ‘Effective democratic scrutiny and efficient public audit go hand-in-hand. They contribute to legitimacy by making it clear to the EU’s citizens what progress is being made, for example in improving the economy, increasing employment prospects, securing the union’s borders, or protecting the environment, and at what cost.
'But for that to happen, the right accountability arrangements need to be in place at EU and national level.’
In September, the ECA issued its first landscape review, which put forward a model for accountability based on six elements. These were:
• clear definitions of roles and responsibilities across the EU and in member states
• public assurance to the public about the achievement of EU policy objectives
• democratic oversight by parliaments
• feedback mechanisms to ensure improvement over time
• independent external audit of EU bodies in relation to accounts and performance
• adequate provisions for audit recommendations to be implemented and followed up
Kevin Cardiff, ECA Member responsible for presenting the landscape review, said: ‘Many of the structures for accountability in the EU are set out in treaties and legislation. These will not change overnight. But the purpose of the ECA landscape review and today’s conference is to kick-start a discussion about what change is needed and how it might be implemented.’
The ECA is expected to publish its second landscape review next month, in which the EU auditors aim to identify the risks to the financial management of the EU budget.
The landscape review of accountability and audit in the EU can be read here.
More documents from the conference are available here.
