Union Solidarity Fund: mobilisation for Germany and France (La Réunion) following respectively a major storm in January and a tropical cyclone in February 2007

PURPOSE: to conclude an Interinstitutional Agreement to mobilise the Solidarity Fund to assist Germany and France (La Réunion) following respectively a major storm in January and a tropical cyclone in February 2007.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund through a flexibility mechanism, within the annual ceiling of EUR 1 billion, over and above the relevant headings of the financial perspective.

The conditions of eligibility to the Fund are detailed in Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 (see CNS/2002/0228).

On the basis of applications for assistance from the Fund by Germany and France (La Réunion) which were affected by a major storm in January and a tropical cyclone in February 2007 respectively, total estimates of the damage caused are as follows:

• Germany, storm Kyrill: EUR 4 687 300 000.
• France/La Réunion, cyclone Gamède : EUR 211 600 000.
• Total : EUR 4 898 900 000.

In the light of the examination of these applications, and considering the maximum possible grant from the Fund as well as the scope for reallocating appropriations under the heading requiring additional expenditure, the Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund for a total amount of EUR 172 195 985, to be allocated under heading 3b of the financial framework.

The Commission will present an amending budget (AB) in order to enter in the 2007 budget specific commitment and payment appropriations, broken down by beneficiary country, as requested in Point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006.