On The Agenda: Transparency and EU funds during the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission is proposing a 2.4 trillion EUR recovery plan to kick-start the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown. When such vast quantities of money are invoked, however, financial transparency is crucial. Transparency should be ensured at all levels of society, starting at the highest. How can the EU ensure the sound use of its funds whilst respecting the national sovereignty of its member states? What sort of conditionality should the European Commission attach to this new wave of funds? Should the EU close its eyes to these practices as long as some of the funds reach and benefit large parts of the population? The European Liberal Forum believes that ensuring sound spending and transparency in the use of European funds needs to be put on the agenda before the Commission’s recovery package makes its way into accounts across Europe. 

Opening remarks by:

Daniel Kaddik, Executive Director, European Liberal Forum

Moderated by:

Beatriz Rios, EU Affairs Reporter

Speakers include: 

Katalin Cseh, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group  

Nicholas Aiossa, Deputy Director, Transparency International EU Office

Mark Schelfhout, Acting Director, Audit, Evaluation and Communication (Dir. G), DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission