Author: MIL OSI Publisher

In a series of votes on Wednesday, MEPs granted discharge to all but two EU bodies, approving the way they managed the EU budget in 2023.

Plenary endorsed the budgetary management by the European Commission, responsible for more than 95% of EU expenditure, but warned that structural issues were undermining EU financial credibility and policy delivery. The decision was taken by 412 votes to 245 with 5 abstentions.

High error rate demands corrective action

In the resolution accompanying the discharge decision for the Commission (adopted by 443 votes to 202 and 21 abstentions), MEPs said they were seriously concerned about the 5.6% error rate in EU spending, which has risen for the third year in a row. They call on the Commission to present a clear action plan within four months to reduce errors. MEPs also demand stricter fraud detection and audit mechanisms, clearer definitions of milestones and targets, and the prevention of double funding and use of pre-existing projects for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

Outstanding commitments and mounting debt

Unpaid commitments rose to a record €543 billion in 2023, more than double the EU’s annual budget. This backlog risks delayed implementation, warn MEPs, who demand more realistic budget forecasting.

By the end of 2023, EU borrowing stood at €458.5 billion, with further increases expected. Rising interest rates and the absence of a repayment plan, MEPs say, could compromise fiscal stability and limit future EU action.

NGO transparency and conditionality

Parliament demands full financial transparency for NGOs and other interest representatives, and for the Commission to share the results of an internal screening of contracts with the Parliament. All entities must be registered in the EU Transparency Register and disclose their main funders. Alignment with EU values, and traceability of funds should be a prerequisite for access to institutions and funding.

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Rapporteur for the Commission discharge Niclas Herbst (EPP, DE) said: “Billions of euros have been transferred to member states under the RRF, but Parliament and the European Court of Auditors are not sufficiently involved in their control. For example, we have asked in vain for a meaningful list of final beneficiaries. The RRF has been used to take on debt at the expense of future generations, to finance questionable national budget priorities, and repayment remains uncertain. Because of these weaknesses, the RRF must never be used as a model for future financial programmes or the EU’s next financial framework.”

Discharge postponed for the Council and Asylum Agency

MEPs postponed the Council’s discharge − as has been the case every year since 2009, due to a lack of cooperation with Parliament. They also postponed the discharge decision for the EU Asylum Agency, citing “very worrying conclusions” from an investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which they say put the Agency’s stability, governance, and reputation at risk. Postponed decisions are revisited later in the year, when discharge is either granted or ultimately denied.

Vote results of all the discharge decisions will be available here.

Background

Through the “discharge procedure”, the European Parliament exercises democratic oversight over the budget’s implementation, holding the Commission and other EU institutions accountable for the management and disbursement of EU funds.

Based on reports from the Commission and the European Court of Auditors (ECA), the Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) reviews the financial management of the EU budget in a given financial year, considers irregularities and holds hearings with the relevant officials. Refusal of discharge can result in remedial action, stricter financial controls, or political consequences.

Parliament adopted its recommendations for the European Water Resilience Strategy, expected from the Commission before summer 2025.

In their report, adopted with 470 votes in favour, 81 against and 92 abstentions, MEPs want an ambitious strategy for the EU to manage its water resources more efficiently and respond better to current water-related challenges. The text says water is not only essential to people’s lives and health, but also central to Europe’s economy, competitiveness, and climate adaptation efforts.

Water efficiency targets, reducing pollution and improving disaster preparedness

MEPs want the Commission to propose sectoral targets for water efficiency and water abstraction (taking water from a surface or underground source) based on risk assessments.

The EU needs to do more to reduce water pollution from pharmaceuticals, chemical pesticides and fertilisers, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, microplastics and chemicals, and to phase out so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS).

Parliament wants climate adaptation to be integrated into sectoral plans and policy measures affecting water and land use, as well as tailored measures for regions facing unique challenges, such as the Mediterranean, island areas and outermost regions. Preparedness and crisis response mechanisms for water scarcity, drought and floods must be significantly improved, they add.

Dedicated funding and digital innovation

Additionally, MEPs are asking the Commission to make dedicated funding available for water resilience, supported by specific mechanisms within existing funds, to modernise water infrastructure, sustainable water management, nature-based solutions and innovative water-efficient technologies.

They urge the Commission to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, real-time leak detection, smart irrigation, and emerging technologies that improve water efficiency. They also stress the importance of digital tools for transparent data collection, monitoring and early warning systems, as well as improving cybersecurity of critical water infrastructures.

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Rapporteur Thomas Bajada (S&D, MT) said: “Our people – our families, farmers, and businesses – deserve clean, secure, and affordable water. That means moving from promises to real, binding action. We cannot afford to treat water as infinite. That is why this report calls for enforceable water efficiency and abstraction targets – sector by sector, basin by basin. We call for a strong EU-wide response to pollution, including the full phase-out of PFAS wherever safe alternatives exist. Because these “forever chemicals” have no place in a sustainable future. We must also invest in solutions that work: modern irrigation, smart recycling systems, real-time monitoring, and infrastructure that prevents leaks before they happen. These are not luxuries – they are the tools we need to protect our health, our food systems, and our future.”

Next steps

The Commission is expected to adopt the European Water Resilience Strategy before the summer, according to its 2025 work programme.

Background

Pollution, habitat degradation, impacts of climate change, and the over-use of freshwater resources are putting pressure on Europe’s lakes, rivers, coastal waters and groundwaters, with water stress affecting 20% of Europe’s territory and 30% of the population every year. Only 39,5% of Europe’s surface water bodies achieved good ecological status and only 26.8% achieved ‘good’ chemical status under the implementation of EU’s water legislation.

Kosovo needs to accelerate its EU-related reforms and Serbia must do more to protect the rule of law and media freedom and to fight corruption, say MEPs.

Kosovo needs to accelerate its EU-related reforms and Serbia must do more to protect the rule of law and media freedom and to fight corruption, say MEPs.

In two reports adopted on Wednesday, MEPs assessed the progress made by Kosovo and Serbia in their efforts to join the European Union during 2023 and 2024.

Kosovo: comprehensive reforms and inclusive governance are essential

Kosovo has made notable strides in its electoral reforms, economic resilience, and the protection of fundamental rights, say MEPs. However, challenges remain regarding judicial reforms, media freedom, public administration efficiency, and the digitalisation of public services. Continued commitment to comprehensive reforms and inclusive governance is essential for Kosovo’s to progress on its European integration pathway, they stress.

The Pristina-Belgrade dialogue has unfortunately not yielded the expected results, note MEPs, who ask both parties to implement the Brussels and Ohrid agreements, including the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities, and the lifting of Serbia’s opposition to Kosovo’s membership of regional and international organisations.

MEPs also state that Kosovo has been the target of foreign interference and disinformation campaigns, particularly from Russia and China, with the aim of destabilising the region and undermining the European integration of the Western Balkans. Parliament therefore urges the Kosovo government to reinforce its capacities to combat such threats.

The report was adopted by 353 votes in favour, 145 against and with 78 abstentions.

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Riho Terras (EPP, ET), rapporteur, said: “It is clear that Kosovo’s integration process needs new momentum – we need a new chapter in the talks between Pristina and Belgrade. It is extremely positive that all major parties in Kosovo are strongly in favour of EU integration. Kosovo’s future is in the European family and we will work together on the reform agenda, because any future accession must be based on merit.”

Serbia: major hurdles to overcome

Despite some progress in negotiations, Serbia still has major hurdles to overcome, according to MEPs. Belgrade needs to improve its internal political dialogue, protect the rule of law, and make anti-corruption reforms. It also has to work on reaching a comprehensive normalisation agreement with Kosovo, and fully align with EU foreign policy.

Parliament calls on Serbia’s authorities to ensure the independence of key institutions, including media regulators such as the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media. They must also implement in full all outstanding recommendations by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and the Council of Europe bodies on electoral reform, well ahead of any new elections, MEPs warn.

MEPs demand full and transparent legal proceedings and an official investigation into the collapse of the Novi Sad train station canopy on 1 November 2024, as well as an impartial investigation into the alleged use of unlawful crowd control technology against protesters. Deploring the continuing violence against students, MEPs are also deeply concerned about the increasing political and financial pressure placed on teachers and university professors who support the students’ collective action.

The report was adopted by 419 votes in favour, 113 against and with 88 abstentions.

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Tonino Picula (S&D, HR), rapporteur, said: “A long political crisis, intensified by a lack of progress on fundamental criteria, such as corruption, rule of law, media freedom and electoral reform, is having a direct impact on Serbia’s progress towards EU membership. For too long Serbia has been trying to take the best of EU funds while side-lining our core values and our geopolitical orientation. The enlargement process is merit-based, and Serbia’s progress could have a positive impact on the region.”

Türkiye’s geopolitical and strategic importance cannot make up for the government’s democratic backsliding, and EU membership criteria are not up for negotiation, MEPs say.

Under current circumstances, despite the democratic and pro-European aspirations of a large part of Turkish society, Türkiye’s EU accession process cannot resume, MEPs say in a report adopted on Wednesday with 367 votes in favour, 74 against and 188 abstentions.

The Turkish government has failed to address fundamental democratic shortcomings, the report says, pointing to the increasing shift within the EU towards “a different framework for the relationship, which might come at the expense of the accession process”. Parliament urges the Turkish government, the EU institutions and EU member states to continue working towards a closer, more dynamic and strategic partnership with particular emphasis on climate action, energy security, counter-terrorism cooperation, and regional stability.

EU membership criteria are not up for negotiation

MEPs are deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of democratic standards in Türkiye and by the relentless suppression of critical voices. They condemn the harsh crackdown on the recent peaceful mass protests and the prosecution of hundreds of protesters through hasty mass trials lacking any evidence of criminal wrongdoing.. MEPs also consider the attacks against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu are a politically motivated move aimed at preventing a legitimate challenger from standing in the upcoming elections. With these actions the current Turkish authorities are pushing the country further towards a fully authoritarian model.

EU membership is contingent on fulfilling specific accession criteria, such as stable institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect for and the protection of minorities, good neighbourly relations, compliance with international law and alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy. These are absolute criteria, not matters subject to transactional strategic considerations or negotiations, the report says

MEPs also condemn the recent illegal visit of President Erdogan to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus and his “provocative statements” as a unilateral action and tantamount to a direct illegitimate intervention against the interests of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

They stress that the democratic and pro-European aspirations of the majority of Turkish society, particularly among Turkish youth, are a major reason for keeping Türkiye’s accession process alive, even if frozen.

Deeper cooperation in areas of mutual strategic interest

MEPs acknowledge Türkiye’s strategic and geopolitical importance, and its increasing presence and influence in areas critical for international security, such as the Black Sea region, Ukraine and the Middle East. Türkiye is a strategic partner and a NATO ally. It is also a country with which the EU has close relations in security, trade, economy and migration, MEPs add. Therefore, it is important to maintain a constructive dialogue and to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual strategic interest. However, democratic backsliding and non-alignment with EU common foreign and security policy are not conducive to significant progress being made in that regard, MEPs warn.

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The rapporteur, Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, ES), said: “We are constantly hearing from Turkish authorities about their supposed commitment to EU membership and how important it is for us to revive this process due to security and geopolitics, but they have got it wrong. Membership is about democracy, and the further they push towards a full authoritarian model – as observed recently with Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest – the further they move away from EU membership.”