Brussels, 23/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Aid of a total of €10.9 million is to be paid by the Solidarity Fund of the EU (EUSF) to the Czech Republic, further to the serious flooding suffered by the country last August, the European Commissioner for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, confirmed on Wednesday 23 March. This aid will help to cover some of the costs borne by the public authorities, particularly to repair vital infrastructure (mainly in the fields of transport, water and energy). Although the total direct damage (€436.5 million) is below the threshold for assistance from the fund to be given, the Commission was able to mobilise it by virtue of a provision allowing it to be mobilised exceptionally in the event of “extraordinary regional disasters”. In order to make the sums corresponding to this aid available, the Commission will ask the budgetary authority (the EP and the Council) to adopt a rectifying budget to be included in the Community budget (on this point, see also EUROPE 10342). (O.L./transl.fl)