Baile Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

I voted in favor of this discharge, which is accompanied by a resolution containing the European Parliament's observations. The financial year 2022 carried the burden of the EU's continued support to the Member States in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and it's economic and social consequences. It was also the year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and our unity in support of Ukraine and its people. The Union supported Member States in hosting Ukrainian refugees, helped Ukraine to care for its citizens, addressed energy challenges and managed food supply chains, among other things. These actions required redirecting existing funds and finding ways to raise new ones. The future challenge is to repay the EU's debt, for which the Commission must present a clear and realistic roadmap.

In 2022, we abandoned the strict working methods imposed during Covid-19 and faced new challenges due to Russia's war of aggression and exceptionally high inflation. The European Parliament's administration imposed such austerity and solidarity measures with Ukraine as setting moderate temperature levels for heating offices and reducing lighting in buildings. I welcome innovative approaches that contribute not only to financial savings but also to reducing our impact on the climate. The European Parliament's annual budget of over €2 billion is very generous, about 70% of which is spent on human resources, including pensions, and on buildings, equipment, energy, communications and information technology. I voted in favor of the discharge of the 2022 budget and I encourage the European Parliament's administration to continue to optimize spending and also to address security threats, in particular attempts to embed spying technology in MEPs' communication and IT equipment, and to carry out thorough security checks on visitors, trainees and new staff.