Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund: flooding in Slovenia, Croatia and Czech Republic in 2010

PURPOSE: to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to assist Slovenia, Croatia and the Czech Republic following floods in September 2010.

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

CONTENT: The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006allows 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 Slovenia, Croatia and the Czech Republic relating to the flooding disasters of September 2010, total estimates of the damage caused are as follows:

• Direct damage Slovenia ("major disaster"): EUR 251300861.
• Direct damage Croatia ("neighbouring country criterion"): EUR 47002839.
• Direct damage Czech Republic (August flooding 2010): EUR 436477560.

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 18 371 576 and EUR 1 175 071, to be allocated under heading 3b and 4 of the financial framework respectively (totalling EUR 19 546 647).

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 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.