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EU Solidarity Fund: mobilisation for Italy following the Abruzzo earthquake in 2009

2009/2083(BUD)

PURPOSE: to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to assist Italy following the earthquake in 2009.

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

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

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

On the basis of application for assistance from the Fund by Italy following an earthquake in April 2009, total estimates of the damage caused are as follows:

  • Direct damages: EUR 10 212 036 560;
  • Aid proposed (Italy): EUR 493 771 159.

In the light of the examination of the application, 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 493 771 159, to be allocated under heading 3b of the financial framework.

By presenting this proposal to deploy the Fund, the Commission initiates the simplified trilogue procedure in view of securing the agreement of the two arms of the Budgetary Authority on the need to use the Fund and the amount required. The Commission invites the first of the two arms of the Budgetary Authority that reaches agreement on the draft mobilisation proposal, at appropriate political level, to inform the other arm and the Commission of its intentions.

In case of disagreement by either of the two arms of the Budgetary Authority, a formal trilogue meeting will be convened.

The Commission will present a preliminary draft amending budget (PDAB) in order to enter in the 2009 budget specific commitment and payment appropriations, as requested in Point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 (BUD/2009/2087).