PURPOSE: to mobilise the Contingency Margin in 2016 to address the unforeseen consequences of the migration crisis.
NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision (EU) 2017/339 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the Contingency Margin in 2016.
CONTENT: Article 13 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 has established a Contingency Margin of up to 0.03 % of the Gross National Income of the Union.
In accordance with that Regulation, the Commission has calculated the absolute amount of the Contingency Margin for 2016.
After having examined all other financial possibilities to react to unforeseen circumstances within the 2016 commitment ceiling for heading 3 (Security and citizenship) of the multiannual financial framework, and after having mobilised the Flexibility Instrument for the full amount of EUR 1 530 million available in 2016, it appears necessary to mobilise the Contingency Margin to address the needs stemming from the migration, refugee and security crisis, by increasing the commitment appropriations in the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, above the commitment ceiling of heading 3.
The European Parliament and the Council therefore decided to mobilise the contingency margin under the 2016 budget in order to provide the amount of EUR 240.1 million in commitment appropriations over and above the commitment ceiling of heading 3 of the multiannual financial framework.
The amount of EUR 240.1 million in commitment appropriations shall be fully offset against the margin under the commitment ceiling of heading 5 (Administration) of the multiannual financial framework for the financial year 2016.
Margin as the last resort: it is recalled that Article 13(1) of the MFF Regulation defines the contingency margin as a last resort instrument to react to unforeseen circumstances.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision shall enter into force on 14.12.2016.