EP Budgetary Control Committee delegation visits Malta

On 1 and 2 April, a Budgetary Control Committee delegation visited Malta to review and assess the use of EU funding and verification processes.
The EP delegation had an intensive programme of meetings with the Minister for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, the EU Programmes Agency, the Internal Audit and Investigations Department, and civil society organisations, as well as the EU Asylum Agency.
“We came to Malta to make sure that the European funds that Malta receives are used to improve the lives of the Maltese citizens and to improve the business environment here,” said  MEP Tomáš  Zdechovský (EPP, CZ), who led the delegation. “I can say that the overall atmosphere was constructive, and I would like to thank both the Maltese officials and the EUAA Management for their engagement and readiness to discuss. Our discussions focused on the governance, coordination, and oversight of EU funds, as well as on national responsibilities in ensuring compliance and accountability.”
“The delegation also met with the Audit Authority for EU Funds, which provided insight into audit methodologies, control mechanisms, and the broader assurance framework. The Maltese authorities provided us with a rather positive outlook of the situation and the measures in place to ensure that EU funds are adequately spent. Nevertheless, the delegation concluded there are still steps to take and measures to be implemented by the authorities to ensure that all issues are addressed. We want to avoid that Malta becomes a captured state like Hungary or Slovakia. EU funds are for the Maltese citizens and businesses and they must be used for them, not for a small circle of politicians,” he concluded.
The CONT delegation also visited the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA) as the European Parliament did not initially grant discharge to the EUAA, following an investigation by OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office. Discharge was granted following changes by the Agency, and the CONT delegation has been following up on the EUAA’s implementation of Parliament’s recommendations. 
“The measures that the Agency has put in place seem to work, but they need to be maintained and enforced. The Management must continue to rebuild trust with staff and more transparency must be ensured in processes such as promotions and internal procedures,” said  MEP  Zdechovský.

The CONT delegation was led by Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CZ), and included Paulo Cunha (EPP, PT) and Dick Erixon (ECR, SE), as well as accompanying MEP Peter Agius (EPP, MT), and MEP Evin Incir (S&D, SE) from the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs for the meetings with the EUAA.

Background: 
The CONT Committee is responsible for the political oversight of the spending of EU funds, to ensure legality, regulatory compliance, and sound financial management.
CONT prepares Parliament’s position for the discharge of the EU budget based on the report by the European Court of Auditors. Discharge is voted on in plenary as part of Parliament’s budgetary powers.