Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2017

The Committee on Budgets adopted the report by Patricija ŠULIN (EPP, SI) on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2017.

Members recalled that the current proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council is not linked to a specific disaster. Instead, it aims at entering into the general budget of the Union for 2017 the amount of EUR 50 million in commitment and payment appropriations for the payment of advances in a timely and efficient way in the event of a disaster occurring next year.

This is the direct result of a new provision in the 2014 Amending Regulation (Art. 4a), strongly defended by the European Parliament, which aims at speeding up the disbursement of aid to affected countries through the payment of an advance before the final award decision has been taken, thus enhancing the Fund's effectiveness.

The report recalled that the EUSF is not simply another form of EU financial support, but that it also contributes to sending a clear political message of solidarity, while providing much-needed assistance to affected citizens. A prompt response capacity, including through the payment of an advance, will help the Union achieve these objectives.

Therefore the committee called on the European Parliament to approve its decision annexed to the draft resolution in order to ensure that the EU 50 million is included in the 2017 Budget.