1.

European Parliament decision on the discharge for implementing the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2003, Section VIII — Ombudsman (C6-0021/2005 — 2004/2047(DEC))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2003 [1],

- having regard to the revenue and expenditure account and balance sheet for the 2003 financial year (C6-0021/2005),

- having regard to the annual report of the European Court of Auditors concerning the financial year 2003, together with the institutions' replies [2],

- having regard to the statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions, provided by the Court of Auditors pursuant to Article 248 of the EC Treaty [3],

- having regard to Articles 272(10), 275 and 276 of the EC Treaty,

- having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities [4], in particular Articles 50, 86(4),145, 146 and 147 thereof,

- having regard to the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977 applicable to the general budget of the European Communities [5],

- having regard to Rule 71 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A6-0066/2005),

1. Grants the Ombudsman discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the 2003 financial year;

2. Records its comments in the accompanying resolution;

3. Instructs its President to forward this decision and the accompanying resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the Ombudsman and to have them published in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

[1] OJ L 54, 28.2.2003.

[2] OJ C 293, 30.11.2004, p. 1.

[3] OJ C 294, 30.11.2004, p. 99.

[4] OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

[5] OJ L 356, 31.12.1977, p. 1.

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