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.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 1530/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund according to point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management

CONTENT: this Decision provides that the European Union Solidarity Fund will be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 172 195 985 in commitment and payment appropriations. 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, Parliament and Council 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.

In parallel, the Commission has adopted an amending budget (AB) in order to enter in the 2007 budget the specific commitment and payment appropriations, as requested in Point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 (see BUD/2007/2178).

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.