Brussels, 15/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - The two branches of budgetary authority gave their agreement on Friday to the payment, before the end of the year, of EUR 728 million in favour of regions in Germany (EUR 444 million), Austria (EUR 134 million), the Czech Republic (EUR 129 million) and France (EUR 21 million), which were hit by flooding this summer (see EUROPE of 14 November, p.8). The Council and Parliament have still to formally adopt this supplementary and amending budget (SAB) for the Budget 2002. Commissioner Michaele Schreyer welcomed the support given to the new Solidarity Fund for natural disasters, stating that this was a "perfect example of how close cooperation between the EU institutions can bring tangible benefits for Europe's citizens". Commissioner Michel Barnier pointed out that the Commission was planning to rapidly sign the agreements with the countries concerned "so that financial help for reconstruction can be delivered to the affected areas without delay". "Created in record time, the Fund is confirmation that Europe exists for its citizens even in the most difficult of situations", he added.