Brussels, 18/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 18 June, in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted by 530 votes to 7 and 5 abstentions a resolution stating that the regions of Central Europe and France stricken by floods should be able to benefit from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) as soon as possible.
To this end, the Parliament calls on the Commission and member states to: (1) take measures so that the necessary financial resources are disbursed as swiftly, effectively and flexibly as possible by the EUSF; and (2) review planning, sustainable land use policies and ecosystem absorption capacities in the light of the increased risks of flooding caused by the way land, habitats and drainage systems are managed.
These requests follow the torrential rain that has affected Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and France over the past two weeks, and which have caused the death of at least 10 people, and caused considerable damage. New EUSF rules are needed to speed up EUSF payments, an EP press release states, pointing out that, at present, member states must submit a claim to the Commission and wait for budgetary approval before receiving the funds. The EP deplores the fact that the Council has blocked the proposal on these new rules. (G.B./transl.jl)