Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission
1.9.2021
1. The Commission is not aware of the analysis conducted by the Hungarian anti-corruption association KELLESZ to which the question makes reference. In case of suspected cases of fraud or irregularities involving EU funds, the Commission invites all parties to share any relevant information.
Based on the conclusions from its own audits and reports, the Commission has repeatedly raised concerns about the effective delivery of Cohesion Policy in Hungary, notably as regards the need to improve competition in public procurement, project selection, promote access to public information and reinforce the anti-corruption framework.
2. and 3. The Commission will use all the existing and new instruments available to pursue any substantiated allegation of fraud and irregularity regarding the misuse of EU Funds. This includes controlling compliance with the directly applicable legal provisions and principles[1], and providing for the obligations for the competent national authorities and for the Commission to monitor the expenditure, to carry out audits, and to implement the appropriate corrective measures. In case of a proven case of fraud or irregularity the Commission may require financial corrections. Action may also include the suspension of payments where clear evidence suggests the existence of significant deficiencies in the management and control systems. Finally, the Conditionality Regulation[2] allows the Commission to take measures where it is established that breaches of the principles of the rule of law affect or seriously risk affecting the sound financial implementation of the Union budget or the protection of the financial interests of the Union in a sufficiently direct way.
- [1] In particular but not exclusively those laid down in the Financial Regulation and the Common Provisions Regulation
- [2] Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget.