Today the plenary of the European Parliament adopted a report calling for strengthened budgetary control of European funds by the European Commission to ensure that they are used in accordance with the fundamental values of the Union. Renew Europe was a major player to make sure that this text applies to all beneficiaries of EU funds, avoiding the stigmatisation of NGOs desired by the most conservative in the chamber. The text insists on measures to protect NGOs in particular in countries flouting the rule of law and makes a distinction between public transparency and those carried out for control purpose by budgetary authorities. It calls on the European Commission to ensure a better upstream and downstream monitoring of European funds to the last beneficiary. This requires means of investigation and the consolidation of the early detection and exclusion system, particularly in the context of the fight against religious fundamentalism. Parliament also wishes to strengthen cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office and the European Court of Auditors.
Ilana CICUREL (Liste Renaissance, France), shadow rapporteur for Renew Europe for this report from the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) declared: “It is the role of the progressive democratic and republican forces to ensure that European funds are used in accordance with our values of emancipation. Today, what is given to those who do not respect our values is sometimes refused to those who deserve our support. With this report we are therefore responding to a growing and legitimate expectation of our citizens: more transparency and tractability of funds distributed by the Union. Non-governmental organisations, this text does not limit your freedom of action, you are the cornerstone of our democratic societies.”