Amending budget 5/2013: mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund for Slovenia, Croatia and Austria

The Committee on Budgets adopted the report by Giovanni LA VIA (EPP, IT) on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 5/2013 of the European Union for the financial year 2013, Section III – Commission.

Members recall that this draft amending budget No 5/2013 relates to the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) for an amount of EUR 14 607 942 in commitment and payment appropriations in relation to the intense rainfalls and the consequent flooding disaster that hit Slovenia, Croatia and Austria in Autumn 2012 and to formally enter this budgetary adjustment into the 2013 budget.

Members stress the urgency to release financial assistance through the EUSF to the countries affected by this natural disaster and regret that the Council has once again decided not to shorten for reasons of urgency, the eight weeks for information of the national parliaments, before adopting its position on this Amending budget.

They welcome, however, the Council's position which confirms the Commission's proposal without amendment, thus ensuring that Amending budget No 5 is covered by fresh appropriations. The shortage of payment appropriations for 2013 excluded a priori that the resources for Amending budget No 5 could be provided by redeployment.

At the same time, Members call on the European Parliament to approve, unamended, the Council position on Draft amending budget No 5/2013.