Brussels, 15/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 March, the EU Council of Ministers adopted, without debate, its position on the draft amending budget No 1 to the 2011 budget allowing the mobilisation of €182.4 million for six countries affected by land slides and serious flooding a year ago. The aid, from the EU Solidarity Fund, is shared out thus: Poland - €105.6 million, Slovakia - €20.4 million, Hungary - €22.5 million, Czech Republic - €5.11 million, Romania - €25 million, and Croatia - €3.83 million.
Agreement was reached by qualified majority. Austria, Belgium, Finland, Latvia and Sweden voted against, and Portugal, Slovenia and the United Kingdom abstained.
The Council thus accepts the use of the Fund and the amount initially proposed by the Commission, and has decided to create a negative reserve, as provided for under Article 44 of the financial regulation. This reserve will be neutralised as soon as possible and, at any rate, before the end of this financial year, by means of transfers. The European Parliament will decide on this issue very shortly. (L.C./transl.rt)