Dear visitor,

I am very pleased to welcome you to the website of the European Court of Auditors - whether you are visiting the site for professional or study reasons, or whether you simply wish to know more about our mission, role and activities.

Since the Court's establishment by the Treaty of Brussels of 1975, the process of European integration and the consecutive Treaties have attributed to the Court the role of an EU Institution that carries out the audit of EU finances. As external auditor, it contributes to improving EU financial management and acts as the independent guardian of the financial interests of the citizens of the Union.

The Court carries out audits, through which it assesses the collection and spending of EU funds. It examines whether financial operations have been properly recorded and disclosed, legally and regularly executed and managed so as to ensure economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The Court promotes accountability and transparency by assisting the European Parliament and Council in overseeing the implementation of the EU budget, particularly during the discharge procedure, and brings added value to EU financial management through its reports and opinions, playing a proactive role within the construction of the Union and helping to bring it closer to European citizens.

The European Court of Auditors is committed to being an efficient organisation at the forefront of developments in public audit and administration, an institution recognised for its integrity and impartiality, for its professionalism, its efficiency and for the quality of its audits and opinions. The Court’s peer review, conducted by an international team of auditors, has concluded that it conducts its work with independence and objectivity, and that the audit framework established is suitably designed in accordance with International Auditing Standards and the best practices of Supreme Audit Institutions.

The entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon reaffirmed the Court’s mandate and status as an EU Institution and introduces changes to the way EU funds are to be managed and scrutinised, strengthening the budgetary powers of the European Parliament and emphasising Member States’ responsibility for implementing the budget.

The new provisions of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union and the Treaty of the European Union do not affect directly the Court and/or its relations with the Supreme Audit Institutions. However, the Court will monitor how the Financial Regulation will incorporate the provisions that are relevant to its mission, in particular those related to the role of national authorities in the execution of the EU budget.

Furthermore, Europe is facing great challenges, such as achieving energy efficiency, climate change and sustainable development. These challenges are putting pressure on public finances everywhere; meeting them will require us to spend our resources wisely.

However, the challenges ahead of us cannot undo the major European achievements, such as the introduction of the Euro and the Stability and Growth Pact, both significant pillars of European integration.

In this context, the role of the European Court of Auditors gains greater importance, given the need to increase transparency and accountability - which are fundamental democratic values - in order to ensure that public funds are soundly managed on behalf of EU citizens and taxpayers.

I hope you will enjoy visiting the website, which is regularly updated with news, information for the press, and details of upcoming events. Please feel free to contact us with any feedback, requests or suggestions that you wish to make.

Yours sincerely,

Vítor Caldeira
President of the European Court of Auditors