EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 23.7.2015

COM(2015) 377 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 2014

Consolidated annual accounts of the
European Union 

Financial year 2014

CONTENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

NOTE ACCOMPANYING THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS    

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXPLANATORY NOTES    

BALANCE SHEET    

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE    

CASHFLOW STATEMENT    

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    

AGGREGATED REPORTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BUDGET AND EXPLANATORY NOTES    

FINANCIAL STATEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

1.EU: Institutional governance and operations

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership of 28 European countries. It was established in 1993 by the Maastricht Treaty and succeeded the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and Euratom. The latest major amendment to the constitutional basis of the EU, the Treaty of Lisbon, entered into force on 1 December 2009.

The EU is based on the rule of law. This means that every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties that have been approved voluntarily and democratically by all EU Member States. It has a unique institutional set-up:

European citizens elect directly the Members of the European Parliament (EP);

The EU's broad priorities are set by the European Council, which brings together national and EU-level leaders;

Governments defend their country's national interests in the Council of the European Union (the 'Council');

The interests of the EU as a whole are promoted by the European Commission (the 'Commission'), whose President is elected by the EP and whose members are suggested for appointment by national governments by common accord with the President-elect and are subject, as a body, to a vote of consent by the EP.

The EU has its own legal order which is separate from international law and forms an integral part of the legal systems of the Member States. The legal order of the EU is based on its own sources of law. Given the varied nature of these sources, a hierarchy had to be established among them. Primary legislation is at the top of the hierarchy and is represented by the Treaties. This is followed by international agreements concluded by the EU, general legal principles and secondary legislation, which is based on the Treaties.

Sources and hierarchy of EU law:

Treaty on European Union (TEU); Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU); Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; other Treaties and Protocols

international agreements;

general principles of Union law;

secondary legislation.

The institutional governance of the EU consists of institutions, agencies and other EU bodies which are listed in note 10 of the notes to the financial statements. The main institutions in the sense of being responsible for drafting policies and taking decisions are the EP, the European Council, the Council and the Commission.

European Parliament

The EP is an important forum for political debate and decision-making at the EU level. The Members of the EP are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent citizen's interests with regard to EU law-making and to make sure other EU institutions are working democratically.

Over the years and with subsequent changes in European treaties, the EP has acquired substantial legislative and budgetary powers that allow it to set, together with the representatives of the governments of the Member States in the Council, the direction in which the European project is heading. In doing so, the EP has sought to promote democracy and human rights – not only in Europe, but also throughout the world.

The EP is on an equal footing with the Council in the annual budgetary procedure. It is involved in the budgetary process from the preparation stage, notably in laying down the general guidelines and the type of spending, right up to the adoption. It establishes the budget with the Council and monitors its implementation. The EP gives a discharge on the implementation of the EU budget on a recommendation from the Council. Finally, the EP has to provide its consent to the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) which ensures that EU expenditure develops in an orderly manner and within the limit of its own resources. The current President of the EP is Martin Schulz.

The European Council and the Council of the European Union

The European Council, formed by the Heads of State or Government of the Member States together with its President and the President of the Commission, provides the necessary impetus for the development of the EU and defines the general political directions and priorities. The current President of the European Council is Donald Tusk.

Jointly with the EP, the Council adopts EU legislation through regulations and directives and also makes decisions and non-binding recommendations. The Council consists of a representative of each Member State, at ministerial level, authorised to commit the government of that Member State by casting its vote. With the exception of the Foreign Affairs configuration, the Council is chaired by the representative of the Member State that holds the Union’s presidency on the basis of equal rotation every six months. A committee consisting of the permanent representatives of the Governments of the Member States (Coreper) prepares the Council’s work.

In its areas of competence, the Council takes its decisions by a qualified majority, except where the Treaties provide otherwise (e.g. unanimity or simple majority). The Council is one of the two branches (the other being the EP) of the budgetary authority which adopts the EU’s budget. The Council also adopts the decisions, pursuant to a special legislative procedure and acting unanimously, laying down the provisions applying to the own resources system and the MFF. In the latter case, the EP must give its consent by a majority of its Members. The latest MFF (2014-2020) was adopted by the Council in November 2013.

European Commission

The Commission is the EU's executive body. It represents the interests of the EU as a whole (not the interests of individual countries).

The Commission's main roles are to:

propose legislation which is then adopted by the co-legislators, the EP and the Council;

enforce European law (where necessary with the help of the Court of Justice of the EU);

set objectives and priorities for action, outlined yearly in the Commission Work Programme and work towards delivering them;

manage and implement EU policies and the budget;

represent the Union outside Europe (negotiating trade agreements between the EU and other countries, for example).

A new team of 28 Commissioners (one from each EU Member State) is appointed every five years. The candidate for President of the Commission is proposed to the EP by the European Council that decides by qualified majority and taking into account the elections to the EP. The Commission President is then elected by the EP by a majority of its component members (which corresponds to at least 376 out of 751 votes). Following this election, the President-elect selects the 27 other members of the Commission, on the basis of the suggestions made by Member States. The final list of Commissioners-designate has then to be agreed between the President-elect and the Council. The Commission as a whole needs the Parliament's consent. Prior to this, Commissioners-designate are assessed by the various EP committees. The current Commission's term of office runs until 31 October 2019. Its President is Jean-Claude Juncker.

The current Commission priorities are (1) Jobs, Growth and Investment, (2) Digital Single Market, (3) Energy Union and Climate, (4) Internal Market, (5) Economic and Monetary Union, (6) EU-US Free Trade, (7) Justice and Fundamental Rights, (8) Migration, (9) EU as a Global Actor, and (10) Democratic Change.

The staff of the Commission works in departments, known as Directorates-General (DGs) or services, each responsible for a particular policy area and headed by a Director-General. The DGs draft laws, but their proposals become official only once the College of Commissioners (28 Commissioners' meeting) adopts them. The DGs also manage funding initiatives at EU level, carry out public consultations and communication activities.

The Commission also administers a number of executive agencies, which help with the management of EU programmes.

2.Initiatives and strategies of the Commission

The new Commission that came into office in November 2014 has defined its work programme for 2015 and the new initiatives for the Commission until 2019. The work programme sets out the Commission's plans and identifies actions which will make a positive difference for jobs, growth and investment in 2015. This programme focuses on a limited set of concrete new initiatives such as:

A new boost for jobs, growth and investment

EUR 315 billion investment offensive: The legislative follow-up to the Plan announced at the end of 2014, unlocking public and private investments in the real economy over the next three years;

Promoting labour integration and employability; and

Reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy.

Digital Single Market package: 

Creating the conditions for a vibrant digital economy and society by complementing the telecommunications regulatory environment;

Modernising copyright rules;

Simplifying rules for consumers making online and digital purchases;

Enhancing cyber-security; and

Mainstreaming digitalisation.

A resilient energy union with a forward looking climate change policy

Creation of the European Energy Union: To ensure energy supply security, further integrate national energy markets, reduce European energy demand and decarbonise the energy mix; and

Multilateral response to climate change.

A deeper and fairer internal market

An internal market strategy;

A labour mobility package;

Capital markets union action plan;

A framework for financial institution resolution; and

An aviation package.

A trade and investment strategy to boost jobs and growth

An area of justice and fundamental rights

EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights; and

European agenda on security.

A new policy on migration:

Developing a new approach on legal migration to make the EU an attractive destination for talent and skills; and

Improving the management of migration into the EU through greater cooperation with third countries, solidarity among our Member States and fighting human trafficking.

A stronger global actor

European Neighbourhood policy; and

Post 2015 sustainable development goals.

A fair taxation environment

An Action Plan on efforts to combat tax evasion and tax fraud, including measures at EU level in order to move to a system on the basis of which the country where profits are generated is also the country of taxation; including automatic exchange of information on tax rulings and stabilising corporate tax bases; and

Compulsory exchange of information on tax rulings.

A Union of democratic change

An EU agreement on better law making;

A mandatory transparency register; and

Review of the genetically modified organism decision making process.

Deeper Economic and Monetary Union: Continued efforts to promote economic stability and attract investors to Europe.

In preparing the work programme, the Commission examined around 450 proposals that were put forward to the EP and the Council, and is proposing to withdraw or amend 80 of them. Some are proposed for withdrawal because they do not match the new Commission's priorities. In many cases, the Commission remains strongly committed to the objectives sought – but proposals are of no use if they are simply sitting dormant on a negotiating table or if they will be so watered down in negotiations that they can no longer achieve their original purpose. When that is the case, the Commission will propose new, better ways of achieving these objectives.

3.EU Budget: From preparation to discharge

4.Budget and Funding

The MFF consists of headings with annual limits for commitment appropriations set for each. The sum of the ceilings of all headings gives the total ceiling of commitment appropriations. The EU Budget finances a wide range of policies and programmes throughout the EU. In accordance with the priorities set by the EP and the Council in the MFF, the Commission carries out specific programmes, activities and projects in the field. The direct link between the annual budget and the EU policies is ensured through activity-based budgeting (ABB). The activity-based budget nomenclature allows for clear identification of the policy areas of the EU and the total amount of resources allocated to each of these areas. The budget is prepared by the Commission and usually agreed in mid-December by the EP and the Council in accordance with the procedure of Art. 314 TFEU. According to the principle of budget equlibrium, the total revenue must equal total expenditure for a given financial year.

The EU has two main categories of funding: Own resources revenues and sundry revenues. Own resources revenues make up the vast majority of EU funding and accrue automatically to the EU to enable it to finance its budget without the need for a subsequent decision by national authorities. The overall amount of own resources needed to finance the budget is determined by total expenditure less sundry revenue. The total amount of own resources cannot exceed 1.23 % of the gross national income (GNI) of the EU. Own resources can be divided into traditional own resources (such as custom levies), the own resource based on value added tax (VAT) and the resource based on gross national income (GNI). Sundry revenues arising from the activities of the EU (e.g. competition fines) normally represent less than 10 % of total revenue.

As a general principle the EU is not allowed to borrow money on capital markets or from financial institutions to finance its budget.

5.How the EU budget is managed and spent

Primary operational expenditure

The EU's operational expenditure covers the various headings of the MFF and takes different forms, depending on how the money is paid out and managed. From 2014 onwards, the Commission classifies its expenditure as follows:

Direct management: this is where the budget is implemented directly by the Commission services.

Indirect management: this refers to cases where the Commission confers tasks of implementation of the budget to bodies of EU law or national law, such as the EU agencies.

Shared management: under this method budget implementation tasks are delegated to Member States. About 80 % of the expenditure fall under this mode covering such areas as agricultural spending and structural actions.

The different financial actors within the Commission

The College of Commissioners assumes collective political responsibility but in practice does not exercise itself the budget implementation powers vested in it. It delegates these tasks each year to individual civil servants accountable to the College, subject to the Financial Regulation (FR) and the Staff Regulations (SR). The staff concerned – generally Directors-General and Heads of Service - are known as “Authorising Officers by delegation” or "AODs". They in turn may further delegate budget implementation tasks to “Authorising Officers by sub-delegation”.

The responsibility of the Authorising Officers covers the entire management process, from determining what needs to be done to achieve the policy objectives set by the institution to managing the activities launched from both an operational and budgetary standpoint. Each Authorising Officer is required to prepare an Annual Activity Report (AAR) on the activities under her/his responsibility where she/he reports on policy results and on the reasonable assurance she/he may have that the resources assigned to the activities described in her/his report have been used for their intended purpose and in accordance with the principles of sound financial management, and that the control procedures put in place give the necessary guarantees concerning the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. On the basis of Art. 66 FR, the Commission transmits a summary report (synthesis report) on the individual AARs to the EP and the Council, by which the Commission takes overall political responsibility for the management of the EU budget in line with Art. 317 TFEU. This report and the AAR are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/planning-and-preparing/synthesis-report/index_en.htm.

The Accounting Officer executes payment and recovery orders drawn up by Authorising Officers and is responsible for managing the treasury, laying down accounting rules and methods, validating accounting systems, keeping the accounts and drawing up the institution's annual accounts. Furthermore, the Accounting Officer is required to sign the annual accounts declaring that they present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position, the results of the operations and the cashflows.

Committing to spend the EU budget

Before a legal commitment (for example a contract or grant agreement) can be entered into with a third party, there must be a budget line authorising the activity in question in the annual budget. There must also be sufficient funds on the budget line to cover the expenditure. If these conditions are met, the funds required must be reserved in the budget by means of a budgetary commitment made in the accounting system and only then a legal commitment can be made. No money can be spent from the EU budget unless and until the Authorising Officer has adopted a budgetary commitment.

Once approved, the budgetary commitment is recorded in the budgetary accounting system and the appropriations are consumed accordingly. This, however, has no effect on the financial statements (or general ledger) since no expense has yet been incurred.

Making a payment

The Commission is a participant in SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) and makes more than 2 million payments a year. No payment can be made unless a budgetary commitment has already been approved by the Authorising Officer dealing with the operation in question.

Pre-financing is a payment intended to provide the beneficiary with a cash advance, i.e. a float. It may be split into a number of payments over a period defined in the particular legal commitment. If the beneficiary does not incur eligible expenditure he has the obligation to return the pre-financing advance to the EU. Thus pre-financing paid is not a definitive expense until the relevant conditions are met and so is recorded as an asset on the EU balance sheet when the initial payment is made.

Cost claims will be received by the relevant EU body so as to justify how the pre-financing amount was spent by the beneficiary in accordance with the legal commitment. The rhythm of receipt of these cost claims is variable depending on the type of action being funded and the conditions.

Eligibility criteria are defined in the basic act, in the calls for proposal, in other documents for grant beneficiaries and/or in the contractual clauses of the grant agreements or in the grant decision. After analysis, the eligible amounts are taken into expenses and the beneficiary is informed about any non-eligible amounts.

The FR and other applicable legislation, particularly concerning agriculture and cohesion policies, give the right to make checks on expenditure up to many years after it was incurred. Where errors, irregularities or fraud are detected, financial corrections or recoveries are applied (see note 6 of the notes to the financial statements).

6.Financial reporting and accountability

The consolidated annual accounts of the EU provide financial information on the activities of the institutions, agencies and other bodies of the EU from a budgetary and accrual accounting perspective. These accounts do not comprise the annual accounts of Member States.

The annual accounts of the EU consist of two separate but linked parts:

a)    the financial statements; and

b)    the reports on implementation of the budget, which provide a detailed record of budget implementation.

It is the responsibility of the Commission's Accounting Officer to prepare the EU's financial statements and ensure that they present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position, the result of the operations and the cashflows of the EU.

In addition to the above annual accounts, ad-hoc reports on specific areas such as the report on budgetary and financial management, on financial instruments, on guarantees given and on financial corrections are also prepared.

Reporting and Accountability in the Commission:

7.Audit and discharge

Audit

The EU’s annual accounts and resource management are audited by the European Court of Auditors (the Court), its external auditor, which as part of its activities draws up for the EP and the Council:

(1)    an annual report on the activities financed from the general budget;

(2)    an opinion, based on its audits and given in the annual report in the form of a statement of assurance, on (i) the reliability of the accounts and (ii) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions involving both revenue collected from taxable persons and payments to final beneficiaries; and

(3)    special reports giving the findings of audits covering specific areas.

Discharge

The final step of a budget lifecycle is the discharge of the budget for a given financial year. The EP is the discharge authority within the EU. This means that following the audit and finalisation of the annual accounts it falls to the Council to recommend and then to the EP to give a discharge to the Commission and other EU bodies for implementing the EU budget for a given financial year. This decision is based on an examination of the annual accounts, the Commission's synthesis report and annual evaluation report, the annual report, the audit opinion and special reports of the Court, and replies of the Commission to questions and further information requests.

The discharge represents the political aspect of the external control of budget implementation and is the decision by which the EP, acting on a Council recommendation, "releases" the Commission (and other EU bodies) from its responsibility for management of a given budget by marking the end of that budget's existence. This discharge procedure may produce three outcomes: the granting, postponement or the refusal of the discharge. Integral to the annual budgetary discharge procedure in the EP are the hearings with Commissioners who are questioned by the Members of the EP's Budgetary Control Committee regarding the policy areas under their responsibility. The final discharge report including specific recommendations to the Commission for action is adopted in Plenary. The Council discharge recommendations are adopted by ECOFIN. Both, the EP's discharge report as well as the Council discharge recommendations are subject to an annual follow up report in which the Commission outlines the concrete actions it has taken to implement the recommendations made.

8.Consolidated financial statements of the EU: Financial situation 2014

9.General trends

Revenue

Five year trend of revenue in EUR millions:

In 2014, GNI resource revenue decreased while other own resource revenue remained at a similar level and recovery of expenses (financial corrections and recoveries – see note 3.5 of the notes to the financial statements) nearly doubled from EUR 1.8 billion to EUR 3.4 billion – this was due to the advanced stage of closure of the 2000-2006 cohesion programming period and the related withdrawals of non-eligible expenditure made, as well as significant corrections imposed by the Commission in agricultural policy.

Expenses

The main expense items are transfer payments in the context of the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and other rural development instruments, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). In the financial year 2014 these made up almost 70 % of total exepnses (EUR 113 468 million).

Expenses were generally at a similar level to last year. Decreases were, however, noted for ERDF/Cohesion, which was due to the fact that expenses recognised in 2014 relate only to programming period 2007-2013 whereas no expenses have been booked yet for the current period 2014-2020 due to the slow start up of programmes (implementation by Member States has only started in 2015).

The EU also recognises future payment obligations as expenses that are not yet shown in the cash-based budgetary accounts. The increased future payment obligations shown under payables for agriculture and rural development and future payment obligations for pension rights acquired by Commissioners, MEPs and staff generally lead to higher expenses and a negative economic result (these payments will be financed by future budgets and are not included yet in revenue).

Economic result

The economic result (deficit) of the period increased from EUR 4 365 million in 2013 to EUR 11 280 million in 2014. The main reason for this increase is the significant actuarial loss (net amount of EUR 9.2 billion) related to the pension and other employee benefits liability which occurred due to the decrease in interest rates. Such fluctuations must be expected due to the, internationally applied, accounting rules in place and the current economic environment. Should interest rates increase, a reverse impact would be expected.

Furthermore, as this is an actuarial estimate of the value of the total liability at one point in time, 31 December 2014, and is based on various assumptions valid at this time, this loss does not indicate actual charges to the EU budget, nor does it impact the amounts to be paid to pensioners from the EU budget in the immediate coming years. These payments are already estimated in the MFF 2014-2020 and will be implemented via the annual budgetary process.

Assets

The most significant items on the asset side of the balance sheet are financial assets (investments, loans, cash) and pre-financing amounts, which make up almost 85 % of the assets of the EU. The amount of loans remains stable at around EUR 60 billion (see note 4.3.2 below) whereas the amount of financial instruments financed from the EU budget increased by almost EUR 2 billion (see note 4.3.1 below). Included on the asset side under Property, Plant and Equipment are assets concerning the Copernicus programme (EUR 1.5 billion) and Galileo assets under construction (EUR 1.5 billion).

In recent years, the EU institutions managed to keep the amounts held as cash and cash equivalents at year end at a low level. The high cash balance of EUR 17.5 million at 31 December 2014 is related to the budgetary procedure and due to own resources contributions related to VAT and GNI balances, received from Member States in December 2014 (see note 2.8.1 of the notes to the financial statements).

Cash and cash equivalents at year-end

EUR 163 billion assets and EUR 221 billion liabilities on the 2014 EU balance sheet

       Assets                        Liabilities

Liabilities

The liability side consists primarily of four key items: The pension and other employee benefits liabilities, financial liabilities, payables and accrued charges. The biggest change as compared to 2013 is the increase of the pension and other employee benefits liability from EUR 46.8 billion in 2013 to EUR 58.6 billion in 2014 due primarily to the significant decrease in interest rates (see above).

The excess of liabilities over assets does not mean that the EU institutions are in financial difficulties, rather it means that certain liabilities will be funded by future annual budgets. Many expenses are recognised under accrual accounting rules in 2014 although they may be actually paid in 2015 or later and funded using future budgets. The most significant amounts to be highlighted are the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) activities (paid in 2015) and the employee benefits (to be paid over the next 30 plus years).

10.Pre-financing

The Commission makes every effort to ensure that the levels of pre-financing are maintained at an appropriate level. A balance has to be struck between making sufficient controls and the timely recognition of expenditure. It should be noted that the level of pre-financing is significantly influenced by the MFF cycle – for example at the beginning of an MFF period one can expect large advances to be paid to Member States under cohesion policy.

The total pre-financing (excl. other advances to Member States) on the EU balance sheet amounts to EUR 45.2 billion, of which 99.8 % relates to Commission activities. Some 76 % of the Commission's pre-financing is implemented via the shared management mode which means that the implementation of the budget is delegated to Member States (the Commission retains a supervisory role).

Commission pre-financing by management mode

The majority of expenditure under shared management mode covers agricultural spending and structural actions. The most significant pre-financing amounts relate to the European Regional Development Fund & Cohesion Fund (ERDF & CF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Shared management spending by fund

11.Financial Instruments

12.Financial instruments financed by the EU budget under direct and indirect management

The importance and volume of financial instruments for budget implementation increases from year to year. The basic concept behind this approach, in contrast to the traditional method of budget implementation by giving grants and subsidies, is that for each euro spent from the budget via financial instruments, the final beneficiary receives more than EUR 1 as financial support due to the leverage effect. This intelligent use of the EU budget aims at maximising the impact of the funds available.

Available for sale financial assets of financial instruments financed by the EU budget

In general, there are three main types of financial instruments used:

Equity instruments;

Loan instruments; and

Guarantee instruments.

Details of the major instruments are given below:

Guarantee Fund for external actions (EUR 1 996 million of assets)

The Guarantee Fund for external actions covers loans guaranteed by the EU as a result of a Council decision, in particular European Investment Bank (EIB) lending operations outside the EU and loans under macro-financial assistance (MFA) and Euratom loans outside the EU. It is a long-term instrument (non-current part: EUR 1 489 million) managed by the EIB and intended to cover any defaulting loans guaranteed by the EU. The Fund is endowed by payments from the general budget of the EU (so as to reach 9 % of the capital value of the operations), the proceeds from interest on investments made from the Fund's assets, and sums recovered from defaulting debtors for whom the Fund has had to activate its guarantee. Any yearly surplus arising shall be paid back as revenue for the EU budget.

The EU is required to include a guarantee reserve to cover loans to third countries. This reserve is intended to cover the requirements of the Guarantee Fund and, where necessary, activated guarantees exceeding the amount available in the Fund, so that these amounts may be charged to the budget. This reserve corresponds to the target amount of 9 % of the loans outstanding at year-end.

Risk-Sharing Finance Facility (EUR 961 million of assets)

The Risk-Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF) is managed by the EIB and the Commission's investment portfolio is used to provision financial risk for loans and guarantees given by the EIB to eligible research projects. In total, a Commission budget of up to EUR 1 billion is foreseen for RSFF, of which up to EUR 800 million are from the “Cooperation” programme and up to EUR 200 million from the “Capacities” programme. The EIB has committed itself to provide the same amount. There will be no new budget contributions to RSFF under the 2014-2020 MFF. At 31 December 2014 the Commission had contributed, including also EFTA and third country contributions, EUR 856 million to the RSFF. In 2014, EUR 375 million of the EU contribution to the RSFF was transferred to its successor debt instrument under Horizon 2020. The amount disclosed as a contingent liability (note 5.2.1 of the notes to the financial statements) represents the estimated maximum loss at 31 December 2014 that the Commission would suffer in case of defaults on loans or guarantees given by the EIB within the framework of the RSFF. It should be noted that the Commission's overall risk is limited to the amount it contributes to the Facility.

Horizon 2020 (EUR 643 million of assets)

Horizon 2020 is a new equity instrument under the 2014-2020 MFF. Seen as a means to drive economic growth and create jobs, Horizon 2020 has the political backing of Europe’s leaders and the Members of the EP. They agreed that research is an investment in the future and so put it at the heart of the EU’s blueprint for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs. By coupling research and innovation, Horizon 2020 is helping to achieve this with its emphasis on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges. The goal is to ensure Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation. Horizon 2020 is managed by the EIF.

ETF start up (EUR 524 million of assets)

The European Technology start-up Facility (ETF) covers the Growth & Employment Programme, the Multi-annual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (MAP) Programme and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), under the trusteeship of the EIF, supporting the creation and financing of start-up SMEs by investing in suitable specialised venture capital funds.

Loan Guarantee instrument for TEN-T projects (EUR 235 million of assets)

The Loan Guarantee Instrument for TEN-T Projects (LGTT) issues guarantees so as to mitigate revenue risk in the early years of TEN-Transport projects. Specifically the guarantee would fully cover stand-by credit lines, which would only be drawn upon in cases where project cash flows are insufficient to service senior debt. The instrument is a joint financial product of the Commission and the EIB. The capital contribution to the LGTT instrument for the 2007-2013 financing period was initially set at EUR 1 billion, split evenly between the Commission and the EIB. The amending Regulation 670/2012 reallocated EUR 200 million to the Project Bond Initiative and another EUR 50 million to grant funding, so the total EU contribution still available to the instrument stands at EUR 250 million.

At 31 December 2014 the Commission had contributed EUR 212 million to the LGTT. The amount recognised as a contingent liability (note 5.2.1 of the notes to the financial statements), represents the estimated maximum loss at 31 December 2014 that the Commission would suffer in case of defaults on loans given by the EIB within the framework of the LGTT operations. It should be noted that the Commission's overall risk is limited to the amount it contributes to the Instrument.

Financial instruments (FI) by type

13.Borrowing and lending activities managed by the Commission

The EU is empowered by the EU Treaty to adopt borrowing operations to mobilise the financial resources necessary to fulfill specific mandates. The Commission, acting on behalf of the EU, currently operates three main programmes, Macro-financial assistance (MFA), Balance of Payments (BOP) assistance and the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM), under which it may grant loans and fund these by issuing debt instruments in the capital markets or with financial institutions.

EU borrowing and lending activities are non-budget operations. The capital required to fund the EU lending operations under the above programmes is raised on the capital markets or with financial institutions. The EU is not permitted to borrow to finance its ordinary budgetary expenses or a budget deficit. The size of the borrowings varies from private placements for amounts of up to EUR 500 million to benchmark-size bond issues (at least EUR 1 billion). In general funds are raised on-lent back-to-back to the beneficiary country, i.e. with the same coupon, maturity and amount. Notwithstanding the back-to-back methodology, the debt service of the funding instruments is a legal obligation of the EU, which will ensure that all payments are made fully and in a timely manner. The Commission has put procedures in place so as to ensure the repayment of borrowings even in case of a loan default. For each country programme, the EP, the Council and the Commission decisions determine the overall granted amount, the (maximum) number of instalments to be disbursed, and the maximum (average) maturity of the loan package. Subsequently, the Commission and the beneficiary country agree loan/funding parameters, including instalments and the payment of tranches. In addition, except for the first one, all instalments of the loan depend on compliance with strict conditions, with agreed terms and conditions similar to International Monetray Fund (IMF) support, in the context of a joint EU/IMF financial assistance, which is another factor influencing the timing of funding. This implies that the timing and maturities of issuances are dependent on the related EU lending activity. Funding is exclusively denominated in euro and the maturity spectrum is 3 to 30 years.

Borrowings of the EU constitute direct and unconditional obligations of the EU and are guaranteed by the 28 Member States. Borrowings undertaken to fund loans to countries outside the EU are covered by the Guarantee Fund for external actions. Should a beneficiary Member State default, the debt service will be drawn from the available treasury balance of the Commission, if possible. If that would not be possible, the Commission would draw the necessary funds from the Member States. EU Member States are legally obliged, according to the EU own resources legislation (Article 12 of Council Regulation 1150/2000), to make available sufficient funds to meet the EU’s obligations. Thus investors are only exposed to the credit risk of the EU, not to that of the beneficiary of loans funded. “Back-to-back” lending ensures that the EU budget does not assume any interest rate or foreign exchange risk.

Balance of Payments

The BOP facility, a policy-based financial instrument, provides medium-term financial assistance to Member States of the EU. It enables the granting of loans to Member States which are experiencing, or are seriously threatened with, difficulties in their balance of payments or capital movements. Only Member States which have not adopted the Euro may benefit from this facility. BOP assistance to Latvia was granted before the introduction of the Euro on 1 January 2014. The maximum outstanding amount of loans granted under the instrument is limited to EUR 50 billion. Borrowings related to these BOP loans are guaranteed by the EU budget – thus at 31 December 2014, the budget is exposed to a maximum possible risk of EUR 8.6 billion regarding these loans (the EUR 8.4 billion below being the nominal value).

A table showing the reimbursement schedule for these loans is given below.

Between November 2008 and May 2009, financial assistance amounting to EUR 14.6 billion was granted to Hungary, Latvia and Romania, of which EUR 13.4 billion had been disbursed by mid 2011. It should be noted that the BOP assistance programme for Hungary expired in November 2010 (with EUR 1 billion undrawn) and the first two repayments of EUR 2 billion in December 2011 and of another EUR 2 billion in November 2014 were received as scheduled. The BOP assistance programme for Latvia expired in January 2012 (with EUR 200 million undrawn) and the first two repayments of EUR 1 billion in April 2014 and EUR 1.2 billion in January 2015 were also received on time. The BOP first assistance programme for Romania expired in May 2012 with the full amount granted, EUR 5 billion, being disbursed. The first repayment of EUR 1.5 billion in January 2015 was received as scheduled.

In February 2011, Romania requested a follow-up precautionary financial assistance (PFA) programme under the BOP facility to support the re-launch of economic growth. On 12 May 2011 the Council decided to make available precautionary EU BOP assistance (PFA) for Romania of up to EUR 1.4 billion (Council Decision 2011/288/EU), however this expired at end-March 2013 without being used. Following Romania's second request for PFA, the Council decided to provide new EU BOP PFA of up to EUR 2 billion, on 22 October 2013 (Council Decision 2013/531/EU), which will remain available for activation until 30 September 2015. If its activation is requested, this financial assistance shall be provided in the form of a loan with a maximum average maturity of eight years. As this PFA of EUR 2 billion is currently the single active programme under the BOP facility, it is the sole amount still available.

European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism

A table showing the reimbursement schedule for these loans is given below.

On 11 May 2010 the Council adopted the EFSM to preserve financial stability in Europe (Council Regulation (EU) n° 407/2010). The mechanism based on Art. 122(2) TFEU and enables the granting of financial assistance to a Member State in difficulties or seriously threatened with severe difficulties caused by exceptional circumstances beyond its control. The assistance may take the form of a loan or credit line. The Commission borrows funds on the capital markets or with financial institutions on behalf of the EU and lends these funds to the beneficiary Member State. For each country receiving a loan under the EFSM, a quarterly assessment of the fulfilment of the policy conditions attached to the loan is carried out before another instalment is disbursed.

The ECOFIN Council conclusions of 9 May 2010 restrict the facility to EUR 60 billion but the legal limit is provided in Article 2(2) of the Council Regulation no. 407/2010, which restricts the outstanding amount of loans or credit lines to the margin available under the own resources ceiling. Borrowings related to loans disbursed under the EFSM are guaranteed by the EU budget – thus at 31 December 2014, the budget is exposed to a maximum possible risk of EUR 47.5 billion regarding these loans (the EUR 46.8 billion above being the nominal value). As the borrowings under the EFSM are guaranteed by the EU budget, the EP scrutinises the Commission's EFSM actions and exercises control in the context of the budget and discharge procedure. As both EFSM programmes have expired, no available amounts are disclosed in the table above.

The Council decided by Implementing Decision in December 2010 on a loan to Ireland of maximum EUR 22.5 billion, and in May 2011 on a loan to Portugal of maximum EUR 26 billion. The initial implementing decisions fixed interest with a margin to result in conditions similar to those of the IMF support. With the adoption of Council Implementing Decisions no. 682/2011 and 683/2011 of 11 October 2011, the Council suppressed the interest margin retroactively and extended the maximum average maturity from 7.5 years to 12.5 years and the maturity of individual tranches up to 30 years. With the adoption of Council Implementing Decisions no. 313/2013 and 323/2013 of 21 June 2013, the Council has further lengthened the maximum average maturity of the EFSM loans to Ireland and Portugal by 7 years to 19.5 years. The extension smoothes the debt redemption profile of both countries and lowers their refinancing needs in the post-programme period.

The last three instalments were disbursed in 2014: EUR 0.8 billion for Ireland and EUR 1.8 billion for Portugal in March 2014 and finally EUR 0.4 billion for Portugal in November 2014. EUR 1.7 billion of the financial assistance granted to Portugal has expired without being requested. There are currently no amounts available under EFSM.

The following table provides an overview of the planned reimbursement schedule in nominal value for outstanding EFSM and BOP loan amounts (in EUR million) at the date of signature of these accounts:

Macro-financial Assistance (MFA)

MFA is a policy-based financial instrument of untied and undesignated balance of payment and/or budget support to partner third-countries geographically close to the EU territory. It takes the form of medium/long term loans or grants or an appropriate combination of both and generally complements financing provided in the context of an IMF-supported adjustment and reform program. These loans are guaranteed by the Guarantee Fund for external actions (see note 2.4 of the financial statements).

14.Inter-governmental financial stability mechanisms outside the EU Treaty framework: European Financial Stability Facility and European Stability Mechanism

The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) was created by the Eurozone Member States with the mandate to safeguard financial stability in Europe by providing financial assistance to Eurozone Member States. The EFSF is not an EU body and is entirely separate from and not consolidated in the EU accounts. It is not guaranteed by the EU budget. Consequently it has no impact on the EU accounts, aside from the possible sanctions revenue described below. With the entry into force of the ESM (see below), the EFSF did not provide new financial assistance after 1 July 2013.

The Commission is responsible for negotiating the policy conditionality attached to the financial assistance and the monitoring of compliance with that conditionality. Regulation 1173/2011 of the Parliament and Council allows for the imposition of sanctions in the form of fines on Member States whose currency is the Euro. These fines, being 0.2 % of the Member State's GDP in the preceding year, can be applied in cases where a Member State has not taken appropriate actions to correct an excessive budget deficit, or where there has been manipulation of statistics. Similarly, Regulation 1174/2011 on macroeconomic imbalances makes provision for an annual fine on a Eurozone Member State of 0.1 % of GDP in the cases where a Member State has not taken the requested corrective action or in case an insufficient corrective action plan has been submitted. Regulation 1177/2011 updated Regulation 1467/97 on speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure. This updated Regulation also foresees the possibility of issuing fines to Eurozone Member States (equal to 0.2 % of GDP plus a variable component). Fines will transit through the EU Budget and then be transferred to the EFSF. This would mean that such amounts would appear as both a budget revenue and expense, thus having no impact on the overall budget result. Likewise they would have no impact on the economic result as presented in the EU financial statements.

The European Stability Mechanism ("ESM") is an intergovernmental organisation under public international law outside the EU Treaty framework. The ESM Treaty was signed by the then 17 Eurozone Member States and became operational in October 2012. The ESM has assumed the tasks fulfilled by the EFSM and the EFSF becoming the sole and permanent mechanism for responding to new requests for financial assistance to Eurozone Member States. Consequently, the EFSF and the EFSM no longer engage in new financing programmes or enter into new loan facility agreements. It must also be noted that the EU budget will not guarantee ESM borrowings. As this mechanism has its own legal personality and is funded directly by the Eurozone Member States, it is not an EU body and it has no impact on either the EU accounts or the EU budget, aside from the possible sanctions revenue described below.

Fines collected will pass through the EU budget and be transferred to the ESM once the EFSF is no longer operational. Furthermore, the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance foresees penalty payments on any of the "Contracting Parties" where that Member State has not taken necessary measures to address a breach of deficit criterion. Penalties imposed (which cannot exceed 0.1 % of GDP) will be payable to the ESM if applied to Eurozone Member States (thus with no impact on the EU budget result, as with the EFSF above), or to the EU budget for non-Euro Member States. In the latter case, the sanction amount will be revenue for the EU budget and be reflected as such in its accounts.

15.Economic and financial context of EU budget implementation

Macro-economic environment

In the context of the sovereign debt crisis the economic growth in the EU Member States has slowed down from 2012 to 2013 and increased from 2013 to 2014. This general economic situation of Member States is reflected in the own resource revenue of the EU, which led to a slight increase of traditional own resources and VAT revenue. Since the GNI resource revenue is a residual component which is directly linked to the total level of payment appropriations adopted by the Budget Authority (and these appropriations have been reduced by Member States in the 2014-2020 MFF), the amount of GNI resource revenue decreased in 2014.

The reinforcement of the Stability and Growth Pact in the EU paves the way for sustainable public finances of the EU Member States concerned. The Fiscal pact aims at consolidating the public finances of the Member States and shall enable them to increase their GDP in the years to come.

The policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) of keeping interest rates at a low level supports the stabilisation of the Euro-area economy. The ECB contributes within its mandate to the increase of growth of the Euro area.

Gross Domestic Product of EU 28 at market prices

GNI resource revenue

Unpaid payment claims

Due to the macro-economic environment in the EU, the pressure on the national budgets of Member States leads to pressure on the payment appropriations of the EU budget. This development has an immediate effect on the payment claims received from Member States and other benficiaries. The total of unpaid payment claims at year-end has increased from EUR 24.3 billion in 2013 to EUR 25.8 billion in 2014. Although there will always be outstanding claims due to amounts submitted close to the year-end, the main reason for the excepetional amounts noted in recent years is the shortage of payment appropriations.

Unpaid payment claims must be financed by future budgets. With this in mind, in May 2015 the EP, the Council and the Commission have agreed on a payment plan to bring the EU budget back on a sustainable track. For the EU it is crucial to consider the long-term needs budgetary payment appropriations since it is these which are decided on by the Budgetary Authority and without these, no payments can be made or cash transferred. Once agreed, appropriations are automatically transformed into available cash of the EU through the monthly own resource collection process.

Within the Commission, short-term cashflow forecasting is done weekly (sometimes daily) to ensure that the immediate payment obligations of the EU can be met, respecting the limits of the payment appropriations available in the budget. This short term forecast is the basis used to estimate the amount of own resources to be called monthly from Member States. On the first working day of each month Member States must credit to the Commission’s own resource accounts one-twelfth of the total amount of the VAT and GNI-based resource entered in the Union's budget. Depending on the Commission's cash position, Member States may be asked in the first quarter of the year to bring forward, by one or two months, the VAT and GNI based resources. Those advances have to be deducted from calls for funds in later months, depending on the forecasted cash needs.

For the medium and long-term, the Commission monitors in detail the payment requirements of the EU as part of its regular activities. For example, this is required for the preparation of Commission proposals on the MFF, as part of the annual budget preparation and when preparing amending budgets. In the negotiation phase of the MFF, the models used and the assumptions underlying are monitored regularly and updated when necessary. The results of the model simulation are channelled into the budgetary negotiations establishing the MFF payment ceiling.

Development of payment & commitment appropriations, RAL and unpaid payment claims backlog in EUR millions

NOTE ACCOMPANYING THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

The consolidated annual accounts of the European Union for the year 2014 have been prepared on the basis of the information presented by the institutions and bodies under Article 148(2) of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union. I hereby declare that they were prepared in accordance with Title IX of this Financial Regulation and with the accounting principles, rules and methods set out in the notes to the financial statements.

I have obtained from the accounting officers of these institutions and bodies, who certified its reliability, all the information necessary for the production of the accounts that show the European Union's assets and liabilities and the budgetary implementation.

I hereby certify that based on this information, and on such checks as I deemed necessary to sign off the accounts of the European Commission, I have a reasonable assurance that the accounts present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position, the results of the operations and the cashflows of the European Union.

[signed]

Manfred Kraff

Accounting Officer of the Commission

17 July 2015

EUROPEAN UNION

FINANCIAL YEAR 2014

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXPLANATORY NOTES

It should be noted that due to the rounding of figures into millions of euros, some financial data in the tables below may appear not to add-up.

CONTENTS

BALANCE SHEET    

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE    

CASHFLOW STATEMENT    

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES    

2.    NOTES TO THE BALANCE SHEET    

3.    NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE    

4.    NOTES TO THE CASHFLOW STATEMENT    

5.    CONTINGENT ASSETS & LIABILITIES AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT DISCLOSURES    

6.    PROTECTION OF THE EU BUDGET    

7.    FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT    

8.    RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES    

9.    EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE    

10.    SCOPE OF CONSOLIDATION    

BALANCE SHEET

* The European Parliament adopted a budget on 17 December 2014 which provides for the payment of the Union's short-term liabilities from own resources to be collected by, or called up from, the Member States in 2015. Additionally, under Article 83 of the Staff Regulations (Council Regulation 259/68 of 29 February 1968 as amended), the Member States shall jointly guarantee the liability for pensions.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

* Further information is given in note 3.18.

**

Implemented by Member States: Shared management

Implemented by the Commission and executive agencies: Direct Management

Implemented by other EU agencies and bodies, third countries, international organisations and other entities: Indirect management.

CASHFLOW STATEMENT

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1.LEGAL BASIS AND ACCOUNTING RULES

The accounts of the EU are kept in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1) hereinafter referred to as the 'Financial Regulation' and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012 (OJ L 362, 31.12.2012, p. 1) laying down detailed rules of application of this Financial Regulation.

In accordance with article 143 of the Financial Regulation, the EU prepares its financial statements on the basis of accrual-based accounting rules that are based on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). These accounting rules, adopted by the Accounting Officer of the Commission, have to be applied by all the institutions and EU bodies falling within the scope of consolidation in order to establish a uniform set of rules for accounting, valuation and presentation of the accounts with a view to harmonising the process for drawing up the financial statements and consolidation. The accounts are kept in Euro on the basis of the calendar year.

1.2.ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

The objective of the financial statements is to provide information about the financial position, performance and cashflows of an entity that is useful to a wide range of users. For the EU as a public sector entity, the objectives are more specifically to provide information useful for decision making, and to demonstrate the accountability of the entity for the resources entrusted to it. It is with these goals in mind that the present document has been drawn up.

The overall considerations (or accounting principles) to be followed when preparing the financial statements are laid down in EU accounting rule 2 and are the same as those described in IPSAS 1, that is: fair presentation, accrual basis, going concern, consistency of presentation, aggregation, offsetting and comparative information. The qualitative characteristics of financial reporting according to article 144 of the Financial Regulation are relevance, reliability, understandability and comparability.

Preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the above mentioned rules and principles requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain items in the balance sheet and statement of financial performance, as well as the disclosures related to financial instruments and contingent assets and liabilities.

1.3.CONSOLIDATION

SCOPE OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements of the EU comprise all significant controlled entities (i.e. the EU institutions (including the Commission) and the EU agencies), associates and joint ventures, this being 52 controlled entities, 7 joint ventures and 1 associate. The complete list of consolidated entities can be found in note 10 of the EU accounts. In comparison with 2013, the scope of consolidation remains unchanged, noting that 1 associate has now been reclassified as a joint venture and following the amalgamation of 2 other associates the resulting entity has been classified as a joint venture.

CONTROLLED ENTITIES

The decision to include an entity in the scope of consolidation is based on the control concept. Controlled entities are all entities over which the EU has, directly or indirectly, the power to govern the financial and operating policies so as to be able to benefit from these entities' activities. This power must be presently exercisable. Controlled entities are fully consolidated. The consolidation begins at the first date on which control exists, and ends when such control no longer exists.

The most common indicators of control within the EU are: creation of the entity through founding treaties or secondary legislation, financing of the entity from the general budget, the existence of voting rights in the governing bodies, audit by the Court and discharge by the European Parliament. It is clear that an individual assessment for each entity needs to be made in order to decide whether one or all of the criteria listed above are sufficient to trigger control.

Under this approach, the EU's institutions (except the European Central Bank - ECB) and agencies (excluding the agencies of the former 2nd pillar) are considered as under the exclusive control of the EU and are therefore included in the consolidation scope. Furthermore the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in Liquidation is also considered as a controlled entity.

All material inter-company transactions and balances between EU controlled entities are eliminated, while unrealised gains and losses on such transactions are not material and so have not been eliminated.

JOINT VENTURES

A joint venture is a contractual arrangement whereby the EU and one or more parties (the "venturers") undertake an economic activity which is subject to joint control. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control, directly or indirectly, over an activity embodying service potential. Participations in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method (see 1.5.4 below).

ASSOCIATES

Associates are entities over which the EU has, directly or indirectly, significant influence but not control. It is presumed that significant influence exists if the EU holds directly or indirectly 20 % or more of the voting rights. Participations in associates are accounted for using the equity method (see 1.5.4 below).

NON-CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES THE FUNDS OF WHICH ARE MANAGED BY THE COMMISSION

The funds of the Sickness Insurance Scheme for staff of the EU, the European Development Fund and the Participants Guarantee Fund are managed by the Commission on their behalf, however since these entities are not controlled by the EU they are not consolidated in its financial statements.

1.4.BASIS OF PREPARATION

2.Currency and basis for conversion

Functional and reporting currency

The financial statements are presented in millions of euros, the euro being the EU's functional and reporting currency.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into euros using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the statement of financial performance.

Different conversion methods apply to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, which retain their value in euros at the rate that applied at the date when they were purchased.

Year-end balances of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into euros on the basis of the exchange rates applying on 31 December:

Euro exchange rates

Changes in the fair value of monetary financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency and classified as available for sale that relate to a translation difference are recognised in the statement of financial performance. Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets and liabilities held at fair value through profit or loss are recognised in the statement of financial performance. Translation differences on non-monetary financial instruments classified as available for sale are included in the fair value reserve.

3.Use of estimates

In accordance with IPSAS and generally accepted accounting principles, the financial statements necessarily include amounts based on estimates and assumptions by management based on the most reliable information available. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to; amounts for employee benefit liabilities, provisions, financial risk on inventories and accounts receivable, accrued income and charges, contingent assets and liabilities, degree of impairment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment and amounts disclosed in the notes concerning financial instruments. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in the period in which they become known.

3.1.BALANCE SHEET

4.Intangible assets

Acquired computer software licences are stated at historical cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. The assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives of intangible assets depend on their specific economic lifetime or legal lifetime determined by an agreement. Internally developed intangible assets are capitalised when the relevant criteria of the EU accounting rules are met and relate solely to the development phase of the asset. The costs capitalisable include all directly attributable costs necessary to create, produce, and prepare the asset to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Costs associated with research activities, non-capitalisable development costs and maintenance costs are recognised as expenses as incurred.    

5.Property, plant and equipment

All property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or transfer of the asset.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits or service potential associated with the item will flow to the EU and its cost can be measured reliably. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the statement of financial performance during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Land and works of art are not depreciated as they are deemed to have an indefinite useful life. Assets under construction are not depreciated as these assets are not yet available for use. Depreciation on other assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost less their residual values over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Gains or losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds less selling expenses with the carrying amount of the disposed asset and are included in the statement of financial performance.

Leases

Leases of tangible assets, where the EU has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership, are classified as finance leases. Finance leases are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the lower of the fair value of the leased asset and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance charges so as to achieve a constant rate on the finance balance outstanding. The rental obligations, net of finance charges, are included in financial liabilities (non-current and current). The interest element of the finance cost is charged to the statement of financial performance over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic interest rate on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The assets held under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of the assets' useful life and the lease term.

Leases where the lessor retains a significant portion of the risks and rewards inherent to ownership are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial performance on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

6.Impairment of non-financial assets

Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation/depreciation and are tested annually for impairment. Assets that are subject to amortisation/depreciation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable (service) amount. The recoverable (service) amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at least once per year. An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable (service) amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable (service) amount. If the reasons for impairments recognised in previous years no longer apply, the impairment losses are reversed accordingly.

7.Investments accounted for using the equity method

Participations in associates and joint ventures

Participations in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognised at cost. The EU's interest in the results of its associates and joint ventures is recognised in the statement of financial performance, and its share in the movements in reserves is recognised in the reserves. The initial cost together with all movements (further contributions, share of economic results and reserve movements, impairments, and dividends) give the book value of the associate or joint venture in the financial statements at the balance sheet date. Distributions received from an associate or joint venture reduce the carrying amount of the asset.

If the EU's share of deficits of a joint venture equals or exceeds its interest in the joint venture, the EU discontinues recognising its share of further losses ("unrecognised losses"). The unrecognised share of losses is the result of a technical accounting exercise needed when using the equity method of accounting. These unrecognised losses do not represent losses for the EU and are due to the fact that the expense recognition normally takes place before the capital increase for the contribution in kind of the venturers other than the EU.

Unrealised gains and losses on transactions between the EU and its associate or joint ventures are not material and have therefore not been eliminated. The accounting policies of associates or joint ventures may differ from those adopted by the EU for like transactions and events in similar circumstances.

If there are indications of impairment, a write-down to the lower recoverable amount is necessary. The recoverable amount is determined as described under 1.5.3. If the reason for impairment ceases to apply at a later date, the impairment loss is reversed to the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised.

In cases where the EU holds 20 % or more of an investment capital fund, it does not seek to exert significant influence. Such funds are therefore treated as financial instruments and categorised as available for sale financial assets.

8.Financial assets

Classification

The EU classifies their financial assets in the following categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss; loans and receivables; held-to-maturity investments; and available for sale financial assets. The classification of the financial instruments is determined at initial recognition and re-evaluated at each balance sheet date.

(I)Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

A financial asset is classified in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term or if so designated by the EU. Derivatives are also categorised in this category. Assets in this category are classified as current assets if they are expected to be realised within 12 months of the balance sheet date. During this financial year, the EU did not hold any financial assets in this category.

(II)Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise when the EU provides money, goods or services directly to a debtor with no intention of trading the receivable. They are included in non-current assets, except for maturities within 12 months of the balance sheet date even if the maturity date of the entire loan dates more than 12 months from the balance sheet date.

(III)Held-to-maturity investments

Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities that the EU has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. During this financial year, the EU did not hold any investments in this category.

(IV)Available for sale financial assets

Available for sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories. They are classified as either current or non-current assets, depending on the time period in which the EU expects to dispose of them which is usually the remaining maturity at the balance sheet date. Investments in unconsolidated entities and other equity investments (e.g. Risk Capital Operations) that are not accounted for using the equity method are also classified as available for sale financial assets.

Initial recognition and measurement

Purchases and sales of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity and available for sale are recognised on trade-date – the date on which the EU commits to purchase or sell the asset. Loans are recognised when cash is advanced to the borrowers. Financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value. For all financial assets not carried at fair value through profit or loss transactions costs are added to the fair value at initial recognition. Financial assets carried at fair value through profit or loss are initially recognised at fair value and transaction costs are expensed in the statement of financial performance.

The fair value of a financial asset on initial recognition is normally the transaction price (i.e. the fair value of the consideration received). However, when a long-term loan that carries no interest or an interest below market conditions is granted, its fair value can be estimated as the present value of all future cash receipts discounted using the prevailing market rate of interest for a similar instrument with a similar credit rating.

Loans granted are measured at their nominal amount, which is considered to be the fair value of the loan. The reasoning for this is as follows:

-The “market environment” for EU lending is very specific and different from the capital market used to issue commercial or government bonds. As lenders in these markets have the opportunity to choose alternative investments, the opportunity possibility is factored into market prices. However, this opportunity for alternative investments does not exist for the EU which is not allowed to invest money on the capital markets; it only borrows funds for the purpose of lending at the same rate. This means that there is no alternative lending or investment option available to the EU for the sums borrowed. Thus, there is no opportunity cost and therefore no basis of comparison with market rates. In fact, the EU lending operation itself represents the market. Essentially, since the opportunity cost "option" is not applicable, the market price does not fairly reflect the substance of the EU lending transactions. Therefore, it is not appropriate to determine the fair value of EU lending with reference to commercial or government bonds.

-Furthermore as there is no active market or similar transactions to compare with, the interest rate to be used by the EU for fair valuing its lending operations under the European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM), Balance of Payment (BOP) and other such loans, should be the interest rate charged.

-In addition, for these loans, there are compensating effects between loans and borrowings due to their back-to-back character. Thus, the effective interest for the loan equals the effective interest rate for the related borrowings. The transaction costs incurred by the EU and then recharged to the beneficiary of the loan are directly recognised in the statement of financial performance.

Financial instruments are derecognised when the rights to receive cashflows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the EU has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

Subsequent measurement

(I)Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are subsequently carried at fair value. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the ‘financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss’ category are included in the statement of financial performance in the period in which they arise.

(II)Loans and receivables and held-to-maturity investments are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. In the case of loans granted on borrowed funds, the same effective interest rate is applied to both the loans and borrowings since these loans have the characteristics of 'back-to-back operations' and the differences between the loan and the borrowing conditions and amounts are not material. The transaction costs incurred by the EU and then recharged to the beneficiary of the loan are directly recognised in the statement of financial performance.

(III)Held to maturity – the EU currently holds no held to maturity investments.

(IV)Available for sale financial assets are subsequently carried at fair value. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of available for sale financial assets are recognised in the fair value reserve. When assets classified as available for sale financial assets are derecognised or impaired, the cumulative fair value adjustments previously recognised in the fair value reserve are recognised in the statement of financial performance. Interest on available for sale financial assets calculated using the effective interest method is recognised in the statement of financial performance. Dividends on available for sale equity instruments are recognised when the EU's right to receive payment is established.

The fair values of quoted investments in active markets are based on current bid prices. If the market for a financial asset is not active (and for unlisted securities), the EU establishes a fair value by using valuation techniques. These include the use of recent arm’s length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cashflow analysis, option pricing models and other valuation techniques commonly used by market participants.

In cases where the fair value of investments in equity instruments that do not have a quoted market price in an active market cannot be reliably measured, these investments are valued at cost less impairment losses.

Impairment of financial assets

The EU assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset is impaired. A financial asset is impaired and impairment losses are incurred if, and only if, there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset and that loss event (or events) has an impact on the estimated future cashflows of the financial asset that can be reliably estimated.

(a)Assets carried at amortised cost

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on loans and receivables or held-to-maturity investments carried at amortised cost has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cashflows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced and the amount of the loss is recognised in the statement of financial performance. If a loan or held-to-maturity investment has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract. The calculation of the present value of the estimated future cashflows of a collateralised financial asset reflects the cashflows that may result from foreclosure less costs for obtaining and selling the collateral, whether or not foreclosure is probable. If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through the statement of financial performance.

(b)Assets carried at fair value

In the case of equity investments classified as available for sale financial assets, a significant or permanent (prolonged) decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered in determining whether the securities are impaired. If any such evidence exists for available for sale financial assets, the cumulative loss – measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognised in the statement of financial performance – is removed from reserves and recognised in the statement of financial performance. Impairment losses recognised in the statement of financial performance on equity instruments are not reversed through the statement of financial performance. If, in a subsequent period, the fair value of a debt instrument classified as available for sale financial asset increases and the increase can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised, the impairment loss is reversed through the statement of financial performance.

Investments in venture capital funds

Investments in Venture Capital Funds are classified as available for sale financial assets and, accordingly, are carried at fair value with gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value (including translation differences) recognised in the fair value reserve. Since they do not have a quoted market price in an active market, investments in Venture Capital Funds are valued on a line-by-line basis at the lower of cost or attributable net asset value. Unrealised gains resulting from the fair value measurement are recognised through reserves and unrealised losses are assessed for impairment so as to determine whether they are recognised as impairment losses in the statement of financial performance or as changes in the fair value reserve.

9.Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The cost of finished goods and work in progress comprises raw materials, direct labour, other directly attributable costs and related production overheads (based on normal operating capacity). Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the costs of completion and selling expenses. When inventories are held for distribution at no charge or for a nominal charge, they are measured at the lower of cost and current replacement cost. Current replacement cost is the cost the EU would incur to acquire the asset on the reporting date.

10.Pre-financing amounts

Pre-financing is a payment intended to provide the beneficiary with a cash advance, i.e. a float. It may be split into a number of payments over a period defined in the particular pre-financing agreement. The float or advance is repaid or used for the purpose for which it was provided during the period defined in the agreement. If the beneficiary does not incur eligible expenditure, he has the obligation to return the pre-financing advance to the EU. The amount of the pre-financing may be reduced (wholly or partially) by the acceptance of eligible costs (which are recognised as expenses) and amounts returned.

At year-end, outstanding pre-financing amounts are valued at the original amount(s) paid less: amounts returned, eligible amounts expensed, estimated eligible amounts not yet cleared at year-end, and value reductions.

Amounts defined in the Financial Regulation as "financial instruments under shared management" are from an accounting point of view classified as pre-financing amounts. These pre-financing amounts are valued at the original amounts paid to Member States less an estimation of amounts utilised.

Interest on pre-financing is recognised as it is earned in accordance with the provisions of the relevant agreement. An estimate of the accrued interest revenue, based on the most reliable information, is made at the year-end and included in the balance sheet.

11.Exchange receivables and non-exchange recoverables

As the EU accounting rules require a separate presentation of exchange and non-exchange transactions, for the purpose of drawing up the accounts, receivables are defined as stemming from exchange transactions and recoverables are defined as stemming from non-exchange transactions that do not arise out of a contract (sovereign recoverables).

Receivables from exchange transactions meet the definition of financial instruments and are thus classified as loans and receivables and measured accordingly (see 1.5.5 above). The financial instruments notes disclosures concerning receivables from exchange transactions include accrued income and deferred charges from exchange transactions as they are not material.

Recoverables from non-exchange transactions are carried at original amount (adjusted for interest and penalties) less write-down for impairment. A write-down for impairment of recoverables from
non-exchange transactions is established when there is objective evidence that the EU will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of recoverables from non-exchange transactions. The amount of the write-down is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the recoverable amount. The amount of the write-down is recognised in the statement of financial performance. A general write-down, based on past experience, is also made for outstanding recovery orders not already subject to a specific write-down. See note 1.5.14 below concerning the treatment of accrued income at
year-end. Amounts displayed and disclosed as recoverables from non-exchanges transactions are not financial instruments as they do not arise from a contract. However, in the notes to the financial statements recoverables from non-exchange transactions are disclosed together with receivables from exchange transactions where appropriate.

12.Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are financial instruments and classified as available for sale financial assets. They include cash at hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

13.Pension and other employee benefits

Pension obligations

The EU operates defined benefit pension plans. Whilst staff contribute from their salaries one third of the expected cost of these benefits, the liability is not funded. The liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the balance sheet date. The defined benefit obligation is calculated by actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of government bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension liability.

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised immediately in the statement of financial performance. Past-service costs are recognised immediately in statement of financial performance, unless the changes to the pension plan are conditional on the employees remaining in service for a specified period of time (the vesting period). In this case, the past-service costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Post-employment sickness benefits

The EU provides health benefits to its employees through the reimbursement of medical expenses. A separate fund has been created for its day-to-day administration. Both current employees, pensioners, widowers and their beneficiaries benefit from the system. The benefits granted to the "inactives" (pensioners, orphans, etc.) are classified as "Post-Employment Employee Benefits". Given the nature of these benefits, an actuarial calculation is required. The liability in the balance sheet is determined on a similar basis as that for the pension obligations (see above).

14.Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the EU has a present legal or constructive obligation towards third parties as a result of past events, it is more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses. The amount of the provision is the best estimate of the expenses expected to be required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date. Where the provision involves a large number of items, the obligation is estimated by weighting all possible outcomes by their associated probabilities (“expected value” method).

15.Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are classified as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss or as financial liabilities carried at amortised cost. Borrowings are composed of borrowings from credit institutions and debts evidenced by certificates. They are recognised initially at fair value, being their issue proceeds (fair value of consideration received) net of transaction costs incurred, then subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method; any difference between proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the redemption value is recognised in the statement of financial performance over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Financial liabilities are classified as non-current liabilities, except for maturities less than 12 months after the balance sheet date. In the case of loans granted on borrowed funds, the effective interest method may not be applied to loans and borrowings, based on materiality considerations. The transaction costs incurred by the EU and then recharged to the beneficiary of the loan are directly recognised in the statement of financial performance.

Financial liabilities categorised at fair value through profit or loss include derivatives when their fair value is negative. They follow the same accounting treatment as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, see note 1.5.5. During this financial year, the EU did not hold any financial liabilities in this category.

16.Payables

A significant amount of the payables of the EU are not related to exchange transactions such as the purchase of goods or services – instead they are unpaid cost claims from beneficiaries of grants or other EU funding (non-exchange transactions). They are recorded as payables for the requested amount when the cost claim is received. Upon verification and acceptance of the eligible costs, the payables are valued at the accepted and eligible amount.

Payables arising from the purchase of goods and services are recognised at invoice reception for the original amount and corresponding expenses are entered in the accounts when the supplies or services are delivered and accepted by the EU.

17.Accrued and deferred income and charges

Transactions and events are recognised in the financial statements in the period to which they relate. At year-end, if an invoice is not yet issued but the service has been rendered, the supplies have been delivered by the EU or a contractual agreement exists (e.g. by reference to a treaty), an accrued income will be recognised in the financial statements. In addition, at year-end, if an invoice is issued but the services have not yet been rendered or the goods supplied have not yet been delivered, the revenue will be deferred and recognised in the subsequent accounting period.

Expenses are also accounted for in the period to which they relate. At the end of the accounting period, accrued expenses are recognised based on an estimated amount of the transfer obligation of the period. The calculation of accrued expenses is done in accordance with detailed operational and practical guidelines issued by the Commission which aim at ensuring that the financial statements provide a faithful representation of the economic and other phenomena they purport to represent.

17.1.STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

18.Revenue

REVENUE FROM NON-EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS

The vast majority of the EU's revenue relates to non-exchange transactions:

GNI based resources and VAT resources

Revenue is recognised for the period for which the Commission sends out a call for funds to the Member States claiming their contribution. They are measured at their “called amount”. As VAT and GNI resources are based on estimates of the data for the budgetary year concerned, they may be revised as changes occur until the final data are issued by the Member States. The effect of a change in estimate is included when determining the net surplus or deficit for the period in which the change occurred.

Traditional own resources

Recoverables from non-exchange transactions and related revenues are recognised when the relevant monthly "A" statements (including duties collected and amounts due that are guaranteed and not contested) are received from the Member States. At the reporting date, revenue collected by the Member States for the period but not yet paid to the Commission is estimated and recognised as accrued income. The quarterly "B" statements (including duties neither collected nor guaranteed, as well as guaranteed amounts that have been contested by the debtor) received from the Member States are recognised as revenue less the collection costs to which they are entitled. In addition, a value reduction is recognised for the amount of the estimated recovery gap.

Fines

Revenue from fines is recognised when the EU's decision imposing a fine has been taken and it is officially notified to the addressee. If there are doubts about the undertaking's solvency, a value reduction on the entitlement is recognised. After the decision to impose a fine, the debtors have two months from the date of notification:

-either to accept the decision, in which case they must pay the fine within the time limit laid down and the amount is definitively collected by the EU;

-or not to accept the decision, in which case they lodge an appeal under EU law.

However, even if appealed, the principal of the fine must be paid within the time limit of three months laid down as the appeal does not have suspensory effect (Article 278 of the EU Treaty) or, under certain circumstances and subject to the agreement of the Commission's Accounting Officer, it may present a bank guarantee for the amount instead.

If the undertaking appeals against the decision, and has already provisionally paid the fine, the amount is disclosed as a contingent liability. However, since an appeal against an EU decision by the addressee does not have suspensory effect, the cash received is used to clear the recoverable. If a guarantee is received instead of payment, the fine remains as a recoverable. If it appears probable that the General Court may not rule in favour of the EU, a provision is recognised to cover this risk. If a guarantee had been given instead, then the recoverable outstanding is written-down as required. The accumulated interest received by the Commission on the bank accounts where received payments are deposited is recognised as revenue, and any contingent liability is increased accordingly.

Since 2010, all provisionally cashed fines are managed by the Commission in a specifically created fund (BUFI) and invested in financial instruments categorised as available for sale financial assets.

REVENUE FROM EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS

Revenue from the sale of goods and services is recognised when the significant risk and rewards of ownership of the goods are transferred to the purchaser. Revenue associated with a transaction involving the provision of services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at the reporting date.

Interest income and expense

Interest income and expense are recognised in the statement of financial performance using the effective interest method. This is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or a financial liability and of allocating the interest income or interest expense over the relevant period. When calculating the effective interest rate, the EU estimates cashflows considering all contractual terms of the financial instrument (for example, prepayment options) but does not consider future credit losses. The calculation includes all fees and points paid or received between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and all other premiums or discounts.

Once a financial asset or a group of similar financial assets has been written down as a result of an impairment loss, interest income is recognised using the rate of interest to discount the future cashflows for the purpose of measuring the impairment loss.

Dividend income

Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.

19.Expenses

Expenses from non-exchange transactions account for the majority of the EU's expenses. They relate to transfers to beneficiaries and can be of three types: entitlements, transfers under agreement and discretionary grants, contributions and donations.

Transfers are recognised as expenses in the period during which the events giving rise to the transfer occurred, as long as the nature of the transfer is allowed by regulation (Financial Regulation, Staff Regulations, or other regulation) or an agreement has been signed authorising the transfer; any eligibility criteria have been met by the beneficiary; and a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made.

When a request for payment or cost claim is received and meets the recognition criteria, it is recognised as an expense for the eligible amount. At year-end, incurred eligible expenses due to the beneficiaries but not yet reported are estimated and recorded as accrued expenses.

Expenses from exchange transactions arising from the purchase of goods and services are recognised when the supplies are delivered and accepted by the EU. They are valued at original invoice cost.

19.1.CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

20.Contingent assets

A contingent asset is a possible asset that arises from past events and of which the existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the EU. A contingent asset is disclosed when an inflow of economic benefits or service potential is probable.

21.Contingent liabilities

A contingent liability is a possible obligation that arises from past events and of which the existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the EU; or a present obligation that arises from past events but is not recognised because: it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits or service potential will be required to settle the obligation or in the rare circumstances where the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.

22.NOTES TO THE BALANCE SHEET

ASSETS

22.1.INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The above amounts relate primarily to computer software.

22.2.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The increase of property, plant and equipment is mainly due to the fact that following the signature of the Copernicus delegation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) during 2014, assets of EUR 1 525 million of the Copernicus programme (former GMES programme) have been transferred from ESA to the Commission. In accordance with the Copernicus Regulation adopted in 2014, the EU took over the responsibility for the Copernicus programme and thus must recognise the assets on its balance sheet. EUR 297 million relating to the Sentinel 1A satellite have been recognised as assets under the heading plant and equipment, and EUR 1 228 million relating to the other satellites currently being constructed have been recognised as assets under construction. Copernicus is the European Earth observation programme. It consists of a space component including six series of earth observation satellites and instruments, an in situ component (composed of numerous sensors on the ground, at sea and in the air), and a service component. The following services are to be provided by Copernicus: atmosphere monitoring, climate change monitoring, land monitoring, marine monitoring, and emergency management and security applications.

In addition, also included as assets under construction at 31 December 2014 are EUR 1 478 million (2013: EUR 1 041 million) of assets relating to the Galileo project, the EU's Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), being built with the assistance of ESA. An amount of EUR 17 million of non-capitalisable development costs has been recognised as expenses during the period.

Property, plant and equipment

22.3.INVESTMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR USING THE EQUITY METHOD

Participations in joint ventures and associates are accounted for using the equity method.

23.Participations in joint ventures

* For a detailed explanation of unrecognised losses see note 1.5.4.

The following carrying amounts are attributable to the Commission based on its percentage of participation:

GALILEO JOINT UNDERTAKING IN LIQUIDATION

The Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU) was put into liquidation at the end of 2006 and the process is still on-going. The entity was inactive and still undergoing liquidation in 2014.

SESAR JOINT UNDERTAKING

At 31 December 2014, the Commission held 43.53 % of the ownership participation in SESAR.

ITER INTERNATIONAL FUSION ENERGY ORGANISATION (ITER)

The EU (Euratom) contribution to ITER International is given through the Fusion for Energy Agency, including also the contributions from Member States and from Switzerland. The total contribution is legally considered as a Euratom contribution to ITER since the Member States and Switzerland do not have ownership interests in ITER. As the EU legally holds the participation in the joint venture ITER International, it must recognise the participation in its accounts. At 31 December 2014, the Commission held 40.61 % of the ownership participation in ITER.

Joint Technology Initiatives

Public private partnerships (PPPs) in the form of Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs), which were implemented through Joint Undertakings within the meaning of Article 187 of the Treaty, have been created in order to implement the objectives of the Lisbon Growth and Jobs Agenda. The Clean Sky joint undertaking (JU), the IMI JU, the ECSEL JU (amalgamation of the former ARTEMIS & ENIAC JUs) and the FCH JU are PPPs created in the form of JTIs. The ownership participation at year-end is as follows: 61.39 % in Clean Sky, 80.47 % in IMI, 95.47 % in ECSEL and 70.85 % in FCH.

24.Participations in associates

European Investment Fund

The participation of the Commission in the European Investment Fund (EIF) is treated as associate using the equity method of accounting. The EIF is the EU's financial institution specialising in providing risk capital and guarantees to SMEs.

The following carrying amounts are attributable to the Commission based on its percentage of participation:

The Commission has paid in 20 % of its participation, the balance being uncalled, corresponding to an amount of EUR 809 million.

24.1.FINANCIAL ASSETS

25.Available for sale financial assets

*    The Guarantee Fund for external actions holds EFSM bonds (EUR 20 million) issued by the Commission, so these have been eliminated. As it is a long-term instrument there is a significant non-current part of the available for sale financial assets, being EUR 1 489 million.

The EU holds available for sale financial assets mainly in the form of guarantee instruments and equity instruments. The increase as compared to 2013 is mainly due to more than EUR 2 billion of new fines being imposed in 2014 and invested in the BUFI fund, less open fine cases settled during 2014. Additionally, Horizon 2020, which is the eighth phase of the Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development ('FP8'), began in 2014 and had assets of over half a billion euros at year-end.

Fair value hierarchy of available for sale financial assets:

During the period there were no transfers between the above mentioned fair value measurement levels.

Reconciliation of financial assets measured using valuation techniques with inputs not based on observable market data (level 3):

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is not quoted on any stock exchange and in view of the contractual restrictions included in the EBRD’s articles of incorporation relating, amongst others, to the sale of participating interests, capped at acquisition cost and only authorised to existing shareholders, the Commission's shareholding is valued at cost less any write-down for impairment.

26.Loans

This heading includes loans granted from borrowed funds (EUR 58 509 million) as well as loans granted from the budget, i.e. loans with special conditions and ECSC in Liquidation housing loans (EUR 139 million). Also included are short-term deposits (EUR 195 million), which are categorised as loans.

Loans granted from borrowed funds

The current/non-current presentation of the loans on the Commission's balance sheet (e.g. EFSM, BOP, Euratom, MFA) has been improved from the notion of looking solely at the final maturity of the loan to the notion of looking at the re-payments due at year-end. Guarantees from third-parties of EUR 349 million (2013: EUR 387 million) have been received covering Euratom loans. At 31.12.2014, EUR 250 million relating to a loan facility agreement under MFA assistance were granted to Ukraine but not yet disbursed.

Loans effective interest rates (expressed as a range of interest rates)

26.1.PRE-FINANCING

Pre-financing represents a large portion of the EU's total assets, and thus receives proper and regular attention. It should be noted that the level of pre-financing amounts in the various programmes must be sufficient to ensure the necessary float for the beneficiary to start the project, while also safeguarding the financial interests of the EU and taking into consideration legal, operational and cost-effectiveness constraints. All these elements have been given due consideration by the Commission in an effort to improve the follow-up of pre-financing.

27.Pre-financing

The decrease in total pre-financing noted under shared management and direct management is attributed primarily to the closure of programing period 2007-2013 and the gradual set-up of programs under the period 2014-2020. Pre-financing related to the old programs is decreasing due to the acceptance of costs, while lower level of advances have been paid out concerning the new programming period.

For structural funds this transition between programming periods also explains the movement between current and non-current balances. New pre-financing paid concerning the programming period 2014-2020 is tipically booked as non-current; these advances are still limited in amount (due to the late adoption of new programs). The programming period 2007-2013 is in its closing phase and thus more amounts become due within twelve months.

Guarantees received in respect of pre-financing

These are guarantees that the Commission requests from beneficiaries that are not Member States, in certain cases when paying out advance payments (pre-financing). There are two values to disclose for this type of guarantee, the “nominal” and the “on-going” values. For the “nominal” value, the generating event is linked to the existence of the guarantee. For the “on-going” value, the guarantee’s generating event is the pre-financing payment and/or subsequent clearings. At 31 December 2014 the "nominal" value of guarantees received in respect of pre-financing amounted to EUR 957 million while the "on-going" value of those guarantees was EUR 605 million (2013: EUR 1 124 million and EUR 887 million respectively).

Certain pre-financing amounts paid out under the 7th Research Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7) and under Horizon 2020 are effectively covered by a Participants Guarantee Fund (PGF). The PGF is a mutual benefit instrument set up to cover the risks relating to non-payment of amounts by the beneficiaries during the implementation of the indirect actions of FP7 and Horizon 2020. All participants of indirect actions receiving a grant from the EU contribute 5 % of the total contribution to the PGF's capital.

At 31 December 2014 pre-financing amounts covered by the PGF totalled EUR 1.8 billion (2013: EUR 4.5 billion). The decrease relates to the fact that 2014 was the last year for signing FP7 projects with less funds available for new projects. The EU (represented by the Commission) acts as an executive agent of the participants of the PGF, but the fund is owned by the participants.

At year-end, the PGF had total assets of EUR 1 640 million (2013: EUR 1 658 million). The assets of the PGF also include financial assets that are managed by the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. As the PGF is a separate entity the assets of the fund are not consolidated in these EU annual accounts.

28.Other advances to Member States

Under the framework of the structural funds programmes 2007-2013 and also under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, advance payments can be made from the EU budget to Member States so as to contribute to financial instruments (be it in the form of loans, equity investments or guarantees) set up and managed under the responsibility of the Member States (i.e. shared management). Monies that are unused by these instruments at year-end are the property of the EU (as with all pre-financing) and are thus treated as an asset on the EU’s balance sheet. However, the basic legal acts do not oblige the Member States to provide periodic reports to the Commission on the use made of these advances, and in some cases not even identify them in the statements of expenditure submitted to the Commission. Information reported by Member States on unused amounts at end 2014 is not available in time for inclusion in these accounts. Thus, on the basis of information received from Member States on unused amounts as at 31 December 2013 and disbursements made during 2014, an estimation is made at year-end of the value of this asset. Furthermore, this estimation is now based on an extension of the implementation period for these instruments from 31 December 2015 to 31 March 2017. The outstanding balance for these instruments at year-end is estimated on the assumption that funds will be used in full and evenly over the remaining period of operation. At the end of this period the Commission will examine the actual use of funds and will reflect in the accounts amounts that have not been used.

The total contribution requested by Member States to the Commission concerning these instruments was EUR 10 904 million, of which EUR 1 088 million remained unpaid at year end. In 2014, no amounts relating to the 2014-2020 programming period have been paid.

Similar to the above, advances paid by the Member States for various aid schemes (state aid, market measures of EAGF) that were not used at year end are recorded as assets on the Commission's balance sheet. The Commission has estimated the value of these advances based on information provided by the Member States; the resulting amounts are included under the Aid Schemes sub-headings above.

28.1.EXCHANGE RECEIVABLES AND NON-EXCHANGE RECOVERABLES

29.Recoverables from non-exchange transactions