Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund: payment of advances in the 2016 budget

PURPOSE: to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to provide for payment of advances in the 2016 budget.

CONTENT: Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020, and in particular the Article 10 thereof allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, within an annual ceiling of EUR 500 million (2011 prices), over and above the relevant headings of the financial framework.

Point 11 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters on and sound financial management set out the modalities for the mobilisation of the Fund.

The conditions of eligibility to the Fund are detailed in Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, which foresees that an amount of up to a maximum of EUR 50 000 000 in both commitment and payment appropriations shall be included in the budget for the payment of advances.

It is proposed that the Commission shall include these amounts in the Draft Budget 2016.