Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977 applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.

Council Regulation (EC, ECSC, Euratom) No 2548/98 of 23 November 1998 amending the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977. Among other changes, this Regulation stipulates that the financial controller must also assume the role of internal auditor.

Following the publication on 10 September 1999 of the report of the ‘Committee of Wise Men’ — the Committee responsible for investigating the management of the Commission — the Luxembourg daily newspaper Tageblatt lists the main criticisms levelled by the Committee against the Commission. Those highlighted include the use of Technical Assistance Offices (TAOs) and ex ante financial control.

On 3 March 2000, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro outlines the measures to reform the Commission suggested by the ‘White Paper’. These measures are aimed at preventing bureaucratic breakdowns and at improving financial management.

On 21 June 2000, the Commission considers the Annual Report drawn up by the Financial Controller. He describes the activities of DG AUDIT for the period from 1 January 1999 to 30 April 2000.

This communication, forwarded to the Commission on 31 October 2000, sets out the basic conditions for the establishment of an internal audit capability in each Commission Service, as provided for in the White Paper on the reform of the Commission.

Council Regulation (EC, ECSC, Euratom) No 762/2001 of 9 April 2001 amending the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977 applicable to the general budget of the European Communities as regards separating the internal audit function from the ex ante financial control function.

Communication from Neil Kinnock and Michaela Schreyer to the Commission on the reorganisation of financial control and internal audit in the Commission following the changes to the Financial Regulation made in 2001 concerning the separation of the internal audit function from the ‘ex ante' financial control function.

Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.

Following the reform of the Financial Regulation undertaken in June 2002, the post of Financial Controller is abolished. After the transitional period expires, the Commission adopts the final annual report of the Commission’s Financial Controller on 2 April 2003.

On 17 January 2006, the Commission submits to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Auditors an Action Plan with the aim of achieving an integrated internal control framework that will help to ensure more effective and efficient internal control of EU funds.

Since it was established in July 2001, the Internal Audit Service (IAS) forwards a report to the discharge authority every year informing it of the work carried out by its staff. This report is based on audit work and consulting activities carried out by the IAS as well as the work of the Internal Audit Capabilities of each Directorate-General.

In this interview, Hubert Ehring, Financial Controller and Director-General of the Directorate-General (DG) for Financial Control from 1968 to 1972, outlines the beginnings and the establishment of this department in 1968.

In this interview, Hubert Ehring, Financial Controller and Director-General of the Directorate-General (DG) for Financial Control from 1968 to 1972, refers to the tasks of the Financial Controller and also the repercussions caused by the establishment of this DG in the Commission.

On 15 June 2005, the Commission submits to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Auditors a roadmap designed to identify the gaps which exist within the internal control framework and to propose action plans which will provide the Court of Auditors with reasonable assurance as to the legality and regularity of transactions.

Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 of 13 December 2006 amending Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.

Every year, on the basis of a recommendation from the Ecofin Council, the European Parliament decides whether to give discharge to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the Community budget. On 2 March 2007, the Bulletin Quotidien Europe considers the substance of the recommendation from the Council.

On 9 March 2007, in connection with the implementation of the Commission’s Action Plan to improve the internal control framework and following the adoption of a progress report which sets out the achievements of this Plan, the Bulletin Quotidien Europe reviews the progress achieved.

In 2007, the European Commission publishes a brochure which provides answers to a number of questions on the budget and financial planning of the European Union.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1525/2007 of 17 December 2007 amending Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.