EU Report 2012: the fifth issue warned about repeated errors of the EU financial management in the CR
Press Release – June 26, 2012
In 2011, the Supreme Audit Office (SAO) performed seven auditing operations aimed at the EU financial management in the Czech Republic. After the SAO’s audit findings, i. e. findings made solely at national level, were subsequently confronted with the audit findings made by the European Court of Auditors, EU Report 2012 concluded that the Czech Republic made mistakes in drawdown of finances as well as in payments to the EU budget.
Large sums are involved: the Czech Republic drew nearly EUR 3 milliard from the EU budget and paid EUR 1.7 milliard in 2011. The SAO estimates that the Czech Republic could gain around CZK 10 milliard more in VAT if the communication among board of customs and financial authorities improved and the corrective measures suggested in audit conclusions were adopted.
EU Report 2012 contains a general overview of topical issues related to the EU funds drawdown. Auditors informed that providers as well as administrators of the support usually make errors when selecting, monitoring, and evaluating projects. The most common shortcomings with the beneficiaries consist in mistakes in the public procurement documentation, claiming for work not done, and claiming for work that was not part of the project.
Among other sources, EU Report 2012 drew information from the jointly formulated audit findings of a coordinated audit, which was conducted together with the European Court of Auditors. The European Court of Auditors had never before conducted a coordinated audit with any of the supreme audit institutions of EU countries.
EU Report 2012 gives feedback, which may have effect on the EU financial management in the CR and in case of interest it may provide inspiration for dealing with issues of drawdown of EU funds. The Report on the EU Financial Management in the CR describes serious shortcomings but it also recommends possible ways of their corrections, which is a great benefit.
Communication Department
Supreme Audit Office