Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Latvia

The European Parliament adopted by 402 votes to 25 with 7 abstentions a resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist Latvia following the 2017 floods throughout the country, and in particular in the Latgale region and neighbouring territories.

Parliament approved the proposal to mobilise EUR 17 730 519 in commitment appropriations for Latvia from the European Union Solidarity Fund as part of the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2018.

The European Union Solidarity Fund aims to enable the Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexibly to emergency situations in order to express its solidarity with the population of regions struck by natural disasters. The maximum annual amount allocated to the Fund may not exceed EUR 500 million.

Parliament called on the Member States to use the financial assistance provided by the Fund in a transparent way, ensuring a fair distribution throughout in the affected regions. In order to minimise the time taken to mobilise the Fund, this Decision shall apply from the date of its adoption.