Dear Chair,

Dear representatives from the Court of Auditors,

Honourable Members,

 

A prosperous and resilient Mediterranean region is of utmost importance to the European Unions own competitiveness and security.

Our external action policies aim to contribute to this goal.

In doing so, our support is based on several fundamental principles

The EU resources dedicated to reach these objectives are significant but limited.

It is therefore my duty to ensure that each Euro is spent efficiently.

And I consider both the European Court of Auditors and this House as key partners in reaching this objective.

The Courts analysis and recommendations have steered the improvement of our control systems, our guidance on shared costs, and the enhancement of monitoring.

We have accepted these recommendations and are implementing them.

 

Honourable Members,

Let me give you two examples of how we spend the EU funds in support of peace, stability, and prosperity in our neighbourhood – to the benefit of EU citizens.

First, in Palestine, the EU remains fully engaged. Our vision is the Two-State Solution. Our line is clear: no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza. And that is why we need a strong Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian Authority depends on European Union support to continue delivering services to the Palestinians while implementing reforms.

EU financial support is linked to their implementation of the reform agenda.

In 2024, we rolled out an emergency package of 400 million Euro conditional to an agreed list of priority actions.

As a next step, we have developed a Multiannual Comprehensive Programme for Palestinian Recovery and Resilience (2025–2027), worth 1.6 billion Euro.

EU disbursements will be linked to the Palestinian Authoritys achievement of key reforms.

Let me reiterate that the Commission implements rigorous safeguards to ensure that no person or entities receive EU funding if they are involved in criminal and unethical practices including terrorist financing and terrorist offences.

Today, peace is yet to be built, but the EU stands ready to contribute to peace-making in the Middle East.

 

The second example are the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership agreements (SCPAs).

We have such agreements in place with Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan. And we aim at concluding SCPAs with also with Morocco and the Gulf countries.

The Agreements allow us to make full use of our toolbox to deliver on a shared agenda. For example:

  • We promote reforms with EU expertise, policy dialogue and financial incentives.
  • We boost investments, with the EIB and national development banks.
  • We help to improve the business environment for SMEs/startups and regulatory frameworks to facilitate trade with the EU.


We are taking our responsibility of executing the budget with utmost precision and care.

However, operating in conflict zones is inherently challenging. In-country site-visits are often restricted by security concerns and logistical constraints.

 

Let me briefly refer to our monitoring methods and robust financial controls. They allow us to ensure that EU resources are managed in accordance with our highest standards.

The complexity of our operations in high-risk regions requires a set of tailored solutions. Therefore, we have developed robust frameworks to monitor, control, and evaluate our programmes, even when direct access is limited.

To perform these duties effectively, DG MENA - which only came into existence in February - has implemented the European Commissions Corporate Control Framework based on international best practices.

DG MENAs Internal Control Framework is designed to safeguard the process underpinning our work, ensuring that our operations remain effective, resilient and responsive.

The Internal Control Framework is built upon pillars of risk management, financial accountability, compliance and operational efficiency.

A Strategy on Internal Control, underpinning these principles and guiding our future work will be adopted shortly. It will be supplemented by a Strategy on audits and verifications as well as a Strategy on Anti-Fraud.

These fundamental building blocks draw from corporate guidelines, the best practices of the RELEX family and the lessons learned from the Courts prior findings and recommendations.

They will become effective by the end of the year.

 

To conclude,

In line with our strategic interests, we are committed to the principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring that every Euro spent is accounted for and delivers measurable impact. After all, we want to achieve tangible results.

I thank this House and the Court for your unwavering commitment to ensuring accountability and upholding the integrity of the EU governance system. 

Thank you.