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Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund: flooding in Madeira, Portugal, and storm Xynthia in France in 2010

2010/2237(BUD)

PURPOSE: to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to assist Portugal and France hit by severe flooding in 2010.

PROPOSED ACT: the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006  allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, 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.

On the basis of application for assistance from the Fund by Portugal and France relating to landslides and flooding on Madeira island (Portugal) and storm Xynthia (France) in February 2010, total estimates of the damage caused are as follows:

  • Direct damages (Madeira flooding):EUR 1 080 000 000;
  • Direct damages (France Xynthia storm):EUR 1 425 430 000.
  • Total aid proposed: EUR 66 891 540.

In the light of the examination of the 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 66 891 540, 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, as required by Point 26 of the Inter-institutional Agreement of 17 May 2006, 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 each arm of the budgetary authority to inform the other arm and the Commission on 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 draft amending budget (DAB) in order to enter in the 2010 budget specific commitment and payment appropriations, as requested in Point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 (see BUD/2010/2238).