on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Portugal

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020, and in particular the Article 10 thereof allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, within an annual ceiling of EUR 500 000 000 (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 the applications from the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Portugal, the calculation of the aid from the Fund, based on the estimate of total damage caused is as follows:

Disaster Total direct damage

(million EUR) Applied regional disaster threshold (million EUR) Applied major disaster threshold (million EUR) 2,5% of total direct damage up to the major threshold

(EUR) 6% of total direct damage above the major threshold

(EUR) Total amount of aid proposed

(EUR) United Kingdom - Floods in 2016 (regional disaster) 2 412,042 626,764 n/a 60 301 050 - 60 301 050 Cyprus - Drought and fires in 2016 (major disaster) 180,803 n/a 101,412 2 535 300 4 763 460 7 298 760 Portugal – Madeira fires in 2016 (regional disaster) 157,000 40,850 n/a 3 925 000 - 3 925 000 TOTAL 71 524 810

In the light of the examination of the above applications 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 71 524 810.

The Commission will present a draft amending budget (DAB) in order to enter in the 2017 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 on sound financial management.

Proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Portugal

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, 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, and in particular point 11 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

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 in order to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by natural disasters.

(2)The Fund is not to exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 500 000 000 (2011 prices), as laid down in Article 10 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013.