Amending budget 9/2009: mobilisation of the EU Solidary Fund for Italy

The European Parliament adopted by 654 votes to 4, with 15 abstentions, a resolution approving, unamended, the draft amending budget No 9 of the European Union for the financial year 2009.

Parliament recalls that the draft amending budget concerns the following items:

• the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund for an amount of EUR 493 78 million in commitment and payment appropriations relating to the effects of an earthquake in Italy in April 2009;
• a corresponding reduction in global payment appropriations of EUR 493 78 million from a number of specific 2009 budget lines (policy areas: 05 Agriculture and Rural Development, 07 Environment, 08 Research and 11 Maritime Affairs and Fisheries).

Parliament takes note of the fact that it is the fifth amending budget solely dedicated to the EU Solidarity Fund, in accordance with the request of the European Parliament and the Council in the joint declaration adopted during the Conciliation meeting of 17 July 2008.