Brussels, 10/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commissioner for Regional Policy, Michel Barnier, has announced that the areas in France affected by flooding on 8-9 September (particularly, Gard, Hérault and Vaucluse) would be benefiting from European Structural Funds aid. Several of these areas are eligible for Objective 2: for the 2002-2006 period, the contribution of the EU to the programme of Objective 2 in the Languedoc-Rousillon region was EUR 316 and that for the Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur region, EUR 340 million.
Noting that, "risk prevention will be one of the priorities in future European regional policy", Mr Barnier confirmed that on 18 September the Commission would be presenting its Draft Regulation on how the new solidarity fund (for economic reconstruction in the regions devastated by major disasters) and proposed after the summer floods in Central Europe, would work (see EUROPE yesterday p 12).