52014PC0565

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020[1], 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. The conditions of eligibility to the Fund are detailed in the Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002[2], since its amended Regulation (EU) 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council[3] may not be applied retroactively.

On the basis of applications from Italy, Greece, Slovenia and Croatia the calculation of the aid from the Fund, based on the estimate of total damage caused is as follows:

Disaster || Direct damage (EUR) || Threshold (million EUR) || Amount based on 2,5 % (EUR) || Amount based on 6 % (EUR) || Total amount of aid proposed (EUR) ||

Italy flooding || 652 418 691 || 3 752,330 || 16 310 467 || ~ || 16 310 467 ||

Greece earthquake || 147 332 790 || 1 168,231 || 3 683 320 || ~ || 3 683 320 ||

Slovenia ice / storm || 428 733 722 || 209,587 || 5 239 675 || 13 148 803 || 18 388 478 ||

Croatia ice /flooding || 291 904 630 || 254,229 || 6 355 725 || 2 260 538 || 8 616 263 ||

TOTAL || 46 998 528

In the light of the examination of the applications[4] and considering the maximum possible grant from the Fund as well as the scope for reallocating appropriations, the Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund for a total amount of EUR 46 998 528.

The Commission will present a draft amending budget (DAB) in order to enter in the 2014 budget the specific commitment and payment appropriations. In the event of disagreement, a trilogue procedure will be initiated in accordance with 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 and sound financial management[5].

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund[6], and in particular Article 4 (3) thereof,

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters  and on sound financial management[7], and in particular point 11 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission[8],

Whereas:

(1) The European Union has created a European Union Solidarity Fund (the "Fund") to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by disasters.

(2) Article 10 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) N° 1311/2013 allows the mobilisation of the Fund within the annual ceiling of EUR 500 million (2011 prices).

(3) Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 contains the provisions whereby the Fund may be mobilised.

(4) Italy has submitted an application to mobilise the Fund, concerning floods.

(5) Greece has submitted an application to mobilise the Fund, concerning an earthquake.

(6) Slovenia has submitted an application to mobilise the Fund, concerning ice storms.

(7) Croatia has submitted an application to mobilise the Fund, concerning ice storms followed by flooding.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 46 998 528 in commitment and payment appropriations.

Article 2

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament                        For the Council

The President                                                 The President

[1]               OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884.

[2]               OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p.3.

[3]               OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p.143.

[4]               Communication to the Commission C(2014) 6077 .

[5]               OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1.

[6]               OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p.3.

[7]               OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p.1.

[8]               OJ C […], […], p.[…].