Source: European Parliament
The Commission and the EU Agencies are providing financial, technical and operational support to Greece to address the challenges it faces in migration and border management[1].
The Commission conducts audits and on-the-spot checks to ensure that funds from the EU budget are spent in line with the applicable rules[2], and generate Union added value[3]. Member States’ authorities are responsible for selecting the projects to finance in accordance with the relevant EU rules.
Non-governmental organisations and international organisations are audited as part of the Commission audit procedures[4]. If the Commission discovers deficiencies, it can intervene by interrupting or suspending payments to beneficiaries or Member States.
If at a later stage the Commission spots any wrongdoing, it can introduce financial corrections and recover the funds already paid. In the event of fraud, the European Anti-Fraud Office steps in to investigate, and, if it confirms that fraud has been committed with EU money, the Commission recovers the funds.
With regards to regulating EU-funded activities, the current EU framework envisages effective mechanisms to ensure that the implementation of the EU budget is in compliance with the principle of sound financial management.
- [1] The total amount of financial support under the EU Home Affairs Funds made available to Greece since 2015 is just over EUR 5 billion, while more than 1000 experts and officers are currently deployed in Greece on behalf of the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA), the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and Europol, providing Greece with the means for an ambitious, robust and comprehensive migration management policy.
- [2] Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, Home Affairs Funds Regulations (Regulations (EU) 2021/1147, 2021/1148/2021 and 2021/1149).
- [3] In the case of the financial support under the Home Affairs Funds implemented in shared management, the Member States’ authorities are responsible for selecting the projects to finance in accordance with the relevant EU rules and assume responsibility for the day-to-day management and for ensuring that the actions supported by the Funds are implemented correctly and effectively.
- [4] In accordance with Article 127 of the regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast).