A delegation of seven MEPs, led by Budgetary Control Committee chair Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE) will travel to Warsaw to look into the disbursement of EU funds and protect the EU budget.
During their visit from 18-20 July, MEPs want to get an on-the-ground understanding of the management and distribution of EU funds in Poland, and to speak directly with stakeholders. They are set to meet with members of the Polish parliament (Sejm), the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, the Audit institution as well as journalists and the professional associations of judges and prosecutors. MEPs will also visit a successful project paid for by EU cohesion funds — Warsaw’s second metro line.
MEPs will also visit the European Border and Coast Guard agency headquarters in Warsaw, to continue discussions with them following Parliament’s initial decision to postpone the approval of Frontex’s accounts. Parliament will reassess whether the agency has acted upon Parliament’s remarks at a second vote in October 2022.
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“At this time it is important that MEPs see with their own eyes how EU funds are spent on the ground and what is being done at member states’ level to protect the EU’s financial interests. This fact-finding mission to Poland focusses on the sound financial management of taxpayer’s money and whether governance systems and procedures are in place to make the country fit for the upcoming challenge of managing recovery funds,” said the Head of the delegation Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE) ahead of the visit.
“In particular, we will look into whether there is fair and equal access to funds for all applicants. Therefore, we will meet with audit authorities, colleagues from the Polish parliament, journalists, NGOs and other stakeholders and, as always, we remain fully committed to the proper application of the rule of law conditionality mechanism,” Mrs Hohlmeier concluded.
