Decision (EU) 2018/1859 on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Latvia

Ce que fait l'acte

to mobilise the European Union solidarity fund to help Latvia following the floods in 2017. PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and the Council. CONTENT: Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020, and in particular Article 10 thereof allows for the mobilisation of the EUSF, within an annual ceiling of EUR 500 million (2011 prices), above the ceilings of the relevant headings of the financial framework. This proposal for a decision concerns the mobilisation of the European Union solidarity fund (EUSF) for an amount of EUR 17 730 519 to assist Latvia following the floods in 2017 throughout the country, and in particular in the Latgale region and surrounding territories. The Committee on Budgets adopted the report by Inese VAIDERE (EPP, LV) on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist Latvia. The committee approved the proposal to mobilise EUR 17 730 519 in commitment appropriations for Latvia from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) under the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2018. As a reminder, on 14 November 2017, Latvia submitted an application for a contribution following a long-lasting period of intense rainfalls leading to the saturation of soils and subsequent flooding throughout the country. The natural disaster that struck the Union in 2017 caused widespread destruction in the regions concerned, which are described as ‘less developed regions’. In their application, received by the Commission on 14 November 2017 and completed on 27 April 2018, the Latvian authorities estimated total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 380.5 million . As this amount exceeds the 'major disaster threshold' for mobilising the EUSF applicable to Latvia in 2017 of EUR 145 740 000 (i.e. 0.6% of Latvia’s Gross National Income based on 2015 data), the disaster qualifies as a ‘major natural disaster’ as defined by the EUSF Regulation. The cost of eligible essential emergency operations has been estimated by the Latvian authorities at EUR 36.2 million. The proposed mobilisation will be financed in full through the partial use of the remaining EUR 47 479 154 in commitment and payment appropriations already entered into the 2018 budget for covering advances. An amending budget is therefore not required. Members recommended the rapid approval of the Commission's proposal for a decision as a sign of solidarity with the affected regions. They invited Member States to use the financial assistance provided by the Fund in a transparent manner, guaranteeing a fair distribution throughout the affected regions. The European Parliament adopted by 402 votes to 25 with 7 abstentions a resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist Latvia following the 2017 floods throughout the country, and in particular in the Latgale region and neighbouring territories. Parliament approved the proposal to mobilise EUR 17 730 519 in commitment appropriations…