Amending budget 1/2011: mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund; flooding in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Croatia and Romania

The Committee on Budgets adopted the report drafted by Sidonia Elżbieta JĘDRZEJEWSKA (EPP, PL) in which it calls on the European Parliament to adopt, unamended, the Council's position on Draft amending budget (DAB) No 1/2011 of the European Union for the financial year 2011. This DAB aims at mobilising the EU Solidarity Fund for an amount of EUR 182.4 million in commitment and payment appropriations in order to mitigate the effects of flooding resulting from heavy rainfalls in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia and Romania.

In parallel, Members recall that the Council has decided to establish a ‘negative reserve’ as provided for by Article 44 of the Financial Regulation. They state that this Council's decision is only pragmatic. It does not provide sustainable and financially sound solution for potential future unforeseen needs, and should therefore be considered as a one-off option. The report states that the Council called on the Commission to present ‘as soon as possible’ a proposal for drawing upon the negative reserve.

In this context, Members consider that the forthcoming Draft amending budget on the budgeting of the surplus for the financial year 2010 will provide a suitable and timely opportunity for drawing upon the negative reserve.

In the meantime since financial assistance to these countries has to be delivered and cannot be further delayed, Members propose to accept without amendment Council's position on draft amending budget 1/2011.