The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek has expressed his condolences to the families and friends of victims of those killed by the severe storms hitting Western Europe today. EP President Buzek has also expressed his solidarity to the authorities and worst affected populations in France, Spain and Portugal.

EP President Jerzy Buzek said: "These storms are extremely hard, many people have lost their lives and many homes have been damaged or destroyed.  I send my condolences to the families and friends of the victims.  We express our solidarity with the all the regions hit, in particular the French authorities and people living in the departments of Vendée, de Charente-Maritime, de la Vienne et des Deux-Sèvres who have been hardest hit, with many still without electricity supply.  We also express solidarity to the people and authorities in Spain and Portugal.  On behalf of the European Parliament, we would also like to thank all the rescue teams dealing with the aftermath of the storms.

"The EU Solidarity Fund may be available to the authorities to finance some of the rebuilding following the severe damage caused by the storms.  The European Parliament will, for its part, act swiftly once applications for the EU Solidarity Fund have been made."


* * *
For further information:
Inga Rosińska, Spokeswoman
Mobile: +32(0) 498 981 354