EU Solidarity Fund: mobilisation for France following the storm "Klaus" in 2009

PURPOSE: to conclude an interinstitutional agreement with a view to mobilising the EU Solidarity Fund to assist France following a major storm (Klaus) in January 2009.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision 2007/762/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, in accordance with 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: the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 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.

On the basis of application for assistance from the Fund by France following a storm in January 2009, the European Parliament and the Council have decided to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide the sum of EUR 109 377 165 in commitment and payment appropriations for the financial year 2009.

An amending budget has been adopted in parallel 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 (see BUD/2009/2046).