Solidarity Fund: mobilisation for assistance to Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania following the storm of 8th January 2005

PURPOSE: to mobilize EUR 92.9 million from the EU Solidarity Fund with a view to funding assistance measures following natural catastrophes in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council (inter-institutional agreement).

CONTENT: In the light of applications for assistance from the Solidarity Fund, the Commission is proposing to mobilize a total amount of EUR 92 880 830, to be allocated under heading 3 of the financial perspective to assist Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania which were affected by a major storm on 8 January 2005.

The Commission will present an amending budget (AB) in order to enter in the 2005 budget specific commitment appropriations, broken down by beneficiary country, as requested in Point 4 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 7 November 2002.