Brussels, 14/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission will on Wednesday propose that 56.2 million EUR from the solidarity funds be used to help Spain and Italy to meet the costs of various disasters. This was confirmed on Monday by a Commission spokesperson, who gave the exact sum of aid proposed: 30.8 million for the earthquake in the Italian region of Molise, 16.8 million for the damage caused in Sicily by Mount Etna, and 8.6 million for the oil slick caused by the Prestige shipwreck off the Spanish coast. The Budget Commissioner, Michaele Schreyer, is to present this proposal at Wednesday's Budget Council (see other article).
The solidarity fund was set up last November in response to the serious floods which hit several European countries over the summer (EUROPE of 22 October and 13 November). According to the regulation which institutes it, it can be used for a "major natural disaster" causing damage of at least 3 billion EUR or 0.6% of the GDP of the country affected. In exceptional circumstances, a particularly badly-hit region can benefit by the fund, even if the damage at national level does not reach this proportion. The oil slick caused by the Prestige is not strictly speaking a "natural" disaster, but as the regulation states that the fund is "principally" and not exclusively to be used for natural disasters, it can be used in this case.
The fund has a maximum of 1 billion EUR per annum. Aid granted under the fund is only meant to cover some of the costs incurred by emergency operations. It could be immediate repair of infrastructure or equipment (transport and health, for instance), first aid and shelter for those affected, or securing measures to protect natural heritage, or the immediate cleansing of affected areas. Last year, the EU granted 444 million EUR to Germany, 134 to Austria and 21 to France (see EUROPE of 14 December).