Brussels, 03/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - Germany has been allocated the lion's share of the money proposed from the EU solidarity fund (EUSF) to help meet the costs of the damage caused by serious flooding in the east of Europe in May and June. Germany declared a national disaster; Austria and the Czech Republic were also affected but less severely.
The Commission announced on Thursday 3 October that it had proposed aid of more than €360 million to Germany to be paid in the coming months. The total envelope proposed from the solidarity fund is €400.5 million. Austria will receive €21.6 million and the Czech Republic €15.9 million since they suffered less damage. Romania, which suffered drought and forest fires in the summer of 2012, could receive €2.4 million in aid.
Regional development Commissioner Johannes Hahn said that “this decision shows how Europe can help fellow countries and regions get back on their feet after natural disasters. The European solidarity fund exists to give support to those countries when help is needed most to regain in getting back economic stability after natural disasters”.
Use of flexibility instrument. To be able to grant this aid, the Commission, on Thursday 3 October, adopted draft amending budget No 9 for 2013 totalling €400.5 million in commitment and payment appropriations. “We propose to amend the 2013 EU budget in order to provide help, and I will do all I can to ensure member states and the European Parliament swiftly approve our proposal”, said Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski. €134.0 million above the ceiling set for commitments has been financed by use of the flexibility instrument in 2013. The Commission admits that, with this request, payment appropriations will exceed the multiannual financial framework's 2013 ceiling (see EUROPE 10931).
Review of the EUSF. In July, the Commission proposed that the solidarity fund regulation be reviewed to make it more effective and swifter, and to facilitate procedures on aid requests (see EUROPE 10896). Commissioner Hahn said that these proposals are currently being discussed with the Parliament and the Council. He hopes the Council will approve them, despite its previous reticence. After the various disasters, he says that he thinks that things are beginning to move in the right direction. (MD/transl.fl)