In its 2018 annual report, published today, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) has concluded that the EU accounts present a “true and fair view” of the EU’s financial position. For the third year in a row, the auditors have issued a qualified opinion on the regularity of the financial transactions underlying the accounts. This reflects the fact that a significant part of the EU’s 2018 expenditure was not materially affected by errors and that such errors are no longer pervasive across spending areas. At the same time, challenges remain in high-risk spending areas such as rural development and cohesion, say the auditors.

Thanks to improvements in its financial management, the EU now meets high standards of accountability and transparency when spending public money. We expect the incoming Commission and the Member States to sustain this effort. The start of a new legislative term and of a new financial programming period create a window of opportunity. Policymakers should grasp it to focus EU policies and spending on delivering results and added value.

The overall level of irregularities in EU spending has remained stable within the range observed during the two previous years. The auditors estimate a 2.6 % error in 2018 expenditure (2.4 % in 2017 and 3.1 % in 2016). Errors were found mainly in high-risk spending areas, such as in rural development and cohesion, where payments from the EU budget are made to reimburse beneficiaries for the costs they have incurred. These spending areas are subject to complex rules and eligibility criteria, which may lead to errors.

With a renewed leadership in the EU institutions and following the European Parliament elections this year, the EU is at an important crossroads and must seize the momentum to deliver results, say the auditors. The EU’s budget accounts for no more than 1 % of gross national income of all Member States, so it is vital that its spending should not only comply with the rules but also deliver results.

The auditors also highlight challenges to EU budgetary and financial management that are of particular relevance for the new long-term budget cycle. The Member States’ absorption of structural and investment funds, which account for almost half of the current multiannual financial framework (MFF), remains low despite increased momentum and significantly higher claims in 2018. The Commission needs to take measures to avoid undue pressure on payment needs at the start of the new MFF (2021-2027), which could be caused by delayed claims from the current one. Furthermore, the increase in guarantees supported by the EU budget (€92.8 billion at the end of 2018) adds to the budget’s exposure to risk, which the Commission will have to address under the new MFF.