Greek Alternate Minister of Finance, Christos Staikouras, within the framework of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU, presented today, 20 February, before the Committee on the Budgetary Control of the European Parliament, the Council Recommendation on the Discharge of the European Commission with regard to the execution of the EU Budget 2012. An issue of major significance for the European institutions.

In his speech, Mr Staikouras underlined, inter alia the vital importance, for budget implementation, of the efficiency and accountability of the European institutions with regard to the financial management.

Towards this direction, the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 offers new tools in order to simplify the process and reduce the chances of improper utilization of resources.

Additionally, on 18 February, the Alternate Minister of Finance attended the Council Meeting of EU Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) during which, among others, the guidelines of the EU Budget for 2015 were decided. These guidelines will allow the 2015 EU Budget to meet the requirements of a balance between fiscal consolidation, investments to growth policies and implementation of structural reforms, a required combination so as to lead the EU to prosperity paths for all its citizens.