DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, within an 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.

On the basis of an application for assistance from the Fund by Romania in relation to a drought and forest fires in summer 2012, and the applications by Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic in relation to flooding in May and June 2013, the calculation of Solidarity Fund aid based on the estimate of total damage caused is as follows:

(EUR) Disaster Direct damage Threshold

(million €) Total cost of eligible operations Amount based on 2.5% Amount based

on 6% Total amount of

aid proposed Romania

drought 806 724 312 735.487 2 475 689 18 387 175 4 274 239 2 475 689 Germany

flooding 8 153 500 000 3 678.755 3 289 400 000 91 968 875 268 484 700 360 453 575 Austria

flooding 866 462 000 1 798.112 350 334 000 21 661 550 - 21 661 550 Czech Republic flooding 637 131 000 871.618 416 368 000 15 928 275 - 15 928 275 TOTAL 400 519 089

In the light of the examination of the applications, 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 400 519 089, to be allocated under heading 3b of the financial framework.

By presenting this proposal to deploy the Fund, the Commission initiates the simplified trilogue procedure, as required by Point 26 of the Inter-institutional Agreement of 17 May 2006, in view of securing the agreement of the two arms of the Budgetary Authority on the need to use the Fund and the amount required. The Commission invites each arm of the budgetary authority to inform the other arm and the Commission of its intentions.

In case of disagreement by either of the two arms of the Budgetary Authority, a formal trilogue meeting will be convened.

The Commission will present a draft amending budget (DAB) in order to enter in the 2013 budget specific commitment and payment appropriations, 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, 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,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

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.