WRITTEN QUESTION E-3473/02

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(6 December 2002)

Subject: The Commission's new accounting officer

The Commission appointed Mr Marc Oostens as its new accounting officer with effect from 1 September 2002.

Can the Commission forward to me a copy of its Decision appointing Mr Oostens?

Can it say from how many candidates Mr Oostens was selected and whether it is true that only Commission officials were given the opportunity of applying for this post?

After Mr Oosten's appointment, when was the interim statement of account drawn up, as required by Article 18 of the Regulation laying down detailed rules for the implementation of certain provisions of the Financial Regulation?

What was the date of the interim statement of account?

Who signed the interim statement of account?

When did the new accounting officer countersign the interim statement of account?

Did he express any reservations when so doing?

If so, can the Commission let me know exactly what he said?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2003)

1. A copy of the Decision appointing Mr Oostens is being transmitted direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

2. Two eligible candidatures were received for this post. It is not true that only Commission officials were given the opportunity to apply for this vacancy; applications were also invited from officials of the other institutions.

3. The interim statement of account was prepared by the accounting services during the fourth quarter of the year 2002. Mr Oostens signed it on 27 January 2003. This delay is because the financial statements include extra information on accrual elements, collected within several Directorates General (DG's), controlled by DG Budget and introduced in the accounting system on a double entry basis by the Accountant's services.

4. In the event of an accounting officer terminating his duties, an interim statement of account shall be drawn up on the date of the termination of officer's duties. Consequently, the interim statement of the accounts was drawn up as of 31 August 2002.

5. Mr Taverne signed the transmittal note on 21 January 2003 as the Accounting Officer terminating his duties on 31 August 2002. Mr Oostens, the appointed Accounting Officer as from 1 September 2002, signed the reception note for the interim statement on 27 January 2003.

6. The new accounting officer countersigned the interim statement of account on 27 January 2003.

7. Yes.

8. A copy of the notes is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.