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 as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund. On the basis of applications from Romania, Bulgaria and Italy, the calculation of the aid from the Fund, based on the estimate of total damage caused is as follows:

Disaster || Direct damage (million EUR) || Applied regional disaster threshold (million EUR) || Major disaster threshold (million EUR) || Total cost of eligible operations (million EUR) || 2,5% of direct damage up to threshold (EUR) || Capping applied || Total amount of aid proposed (EUR)

ROMANIA spring flooding || 167,927 || ~ || 783,738 || 145,527 || 4 198 175 || No || 4 198 175

ROMANIA summer flooding || 171,911 || 157,200 || 783,738 || 93,955 || 4 297 775 || No || 4 297 775

BULGARIA || 79,344 || 40,980 || 232,502 || 69,108 || 1 983 600 || No || 1 983 600

ITALY || 2 241,052 || 1 832,944 || 3 183,624 || 434,314 || 56 026 300 || No || 56 026 300

TOTAL || || || || || || || 66 505 850

In the light of the examination of the applications[2] and considering the maximum possible contribution 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 66 505 850.

The Commission will present a draft amending budget (DAB) in order to enter in the 2015 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[3].

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund (Floods in Romania, Bulgaria and Italy)

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 Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund[4] 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[5], and in particular point 11 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission[6],

Whereas:

(1) The European Union Solidarity Fund (the "Fund") aims to enable the Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to emergency situations and to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by disasters.

(2) The Fund is not to exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 500 million (2011 prices), as laid down in Article 10 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013[7].

(3) Romania has submitted two applications to mobilise the Fund, concerning floods.

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

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

(6) The Fund should therefore be mobilised in order to provide a financial contribution of EUR 66 505 850 in respect of the applications submitted by Romania, Bulgaria and Italy.

(7) In order to minimise the time taken to mobilise the Fund, this decision should apply from the date of its adoption.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 66 505 850 in commitment and payment appropriations.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply from [date of its adoption to be inserted by the Parliament before the publication in OJ].

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament                        For the Council

The President                                                 The President

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

[2]               Communication to the Commission C(2015) 2285 of 09.04.2015.

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

[4]               Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund, OJ L 311 of 14.11.2002, p.3.

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

[6]               COM(2015) 160 final of 15.04.2015.

[7]               Council Regulation (EU-Euratom) N° 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).