[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 14.4.2008

COM(2008) 200 final

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006[1] allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund through a flexibility mechanism, within the annual ceiling of EUR 1 billion, over and above the relevant headings of the financial framework. The conditions of eligibility to the Fund are detailed in Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002[2].

On the basis of applications for assistance from the Fund by Greece and Slovenia which were respectively affected by forest fires in August 2007 and floods in September 2007, total estimates of the damage caused are as follows:

(EUR) |

Direct damage | Total amount of aid proposed |

Greece forest fires | 2 118 273 411 | 89 769 009 |

Slovenia flooding | 233 395 389 | 8 254 203 |

Total | 98 023 212 |

In the light of the examination of the applications[3], and considering the maximum possible grant from the Fund as well as the scope for reallocating appropriations under the heading requiring additional expenditure, the Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund for a total amount of EUR 98 023 212, to be allocated under heading 3b of the financial framework.

The Commission will present a preliminary draft amending budget (PDAB) in order to enter in the 2008 budget specific commitment and payment appropriations, broken down by beneficiary country, as requested in Point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006.

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 Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management[4], and in particular point 26 thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund[5],

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

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) The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 allows the mobilisation of the Fund within the annual ceiling of EUR 1 billion.

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

(4) Greece submitted an application to mobilise the Fund, concerning a disaster caused by forest fires in August 2007

(5) Slovenia submitted an application to mobilise the Fund, concerning a disaster caused by flooding in September 2007.

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

For the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2008, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 98 023 212 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 C 139, 14.06.2006, p. 1

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

[3] Communication to the Commission SEC(2008)428 on an application to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund introduced by Greece in the case of forest fires in August 2007 and Communication to the Commission SEC(2008)277 on an application to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund introduced by Slovenia in the case of floods in September 2007, setting out the analysis of the Commission of the requests.

[4] OJ C 139, 14.06.2006, p. 1.

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

[6] OJ C […], […], p. […]