PURPOSE: to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Portugal hit by climatic disasters.
PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.
CONTENT: Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020, and in particular the Article 10 thereof allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, within an annual ceiling of EUR 500 million (2011 prices), over and above the relevant headings of the financial framework.
The conditions of eligibility to the Fund are detailed in the Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund.
Total direct damage:
- United Kingdom - floods in 2016 (regional disaster): EUR 2 412,042 million;
- Cyprus - drought and fires in 2016 (major disaster): EUR 180.803 million;
- Portugal - Madeira fires in 2016 (regional disaster): EUR 157 million.
In the light of the examination of the above applications and considering the maximum possible contribution from the Fund as well as the scope for reallocating appropriations, the Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund for a total amount of EUR 71 524 810.
The Commission will present a draft amending budget (DAB) in order to enter in the 2017 budget the specific commitment and payment appropriations.
In the event of disagreement, a trilogue procedure will be initiated in accordance with Point 11 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management.