Brussels, 19/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - Negotiators from the European institutions are hoping to obtain an agreement during the trialogue on the European Union Solidarity Fund in Strasbourg on 25 February next, in order to be able to validate the reform before the European elections. Advance payments and the eligibility threshold, however, are still creating a number of problems in the negotiations.
Last summer, the European Commission proposed reforming this fund in an effort to provide financial support to regions that have suffered from natural disasters and make use of the instrument swifter and simpler. An initial trialogue meeting took place on 19 February and was described as being constructive. One particular point, however, is dividing the negotiating team: the advance payments mechanism proposed by the European Commission and opposed by the Council for budget reasons. The eligibility threshold suggested by the European Commission of 1.5% of regional GDP is also a subject of debate, as well as the period for requesting aid (10 weeks for the Commission, as opposed to 15 weeks for the Parliament) and the period allowed for using these funds (the Commission wants a year, whereas Parliament wants 18 months). (MD/transl.fl)