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Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Greece, Spain, France and Portugal

2018/2029(BUD)

The Committee on Budgets adopted the report by José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT) on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to provide assistance to Greece, Spain, France and Portugal.

It proposes to mobilise the EUSF to grant financial assistance relating to forest fires in Portugal and Spain, hurricanes in France and earthquakes in Greece in 2017.

Given that the applications by Greece, Spain, France and Portugal meet the conditions for providing a financial contribution from the Fund, Members approved the following amounts in commitment and payment appropriations:

  • Greece: EUR 1 359 119;
  • Spain: EUR 3 228 675;
  • France: EUR 48 906 025;
  • Portugal: EUR 50 673 132.

The proposed mobilisation requires an amendment to the 2018 budget and a draft amending budget (N°1/2018), aiming at increasing budget line 13 06 01 'Assistance to Member States in the event of a major natural disaster with serious repercussions on living conditions, the natural environment or the economy' by EUR 97 646 105 both in commitment and payment appropriations.

Member States should apply the financial aid rapidly and in a transparent way, guaranteeing a fair distribution throughout the affected regions.

Lastly, Members expressed support for the Member States using Structural and Investment Funds for the reconstruction of the affected regions, and invited the Commission to support and rapidly approve the reallocation of the partnership agreements requested by Member States for the reconstruction of these regions.