MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the natural disasters in Central Europe

14.6.2010

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Czesław Adam Siekierski, Tamás Deutsch, Zuzana Roithová, Anna Záborská, Markus Pieper, Richard Seeber, Bogusław Sonik, Jan Březina, Lambert van Nistelrooij, Andrzej Grzyb, Jolanta Emilia Hibner, Piotr Borys, Artur Zasada, Milan Zver, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, Jarosław Kalinowski, János Áder, Filip Kaczmarek, Csaba Őry, Krzysztof Lisek, Joachim Zeller, Edit Bauer, Nuno Teixeira, Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, Ádám Kósa, Paweł Zalewski, Róża Gräfin Von Thun Und Hohenstein, Bogdan Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, Sławomir Witold Nitras on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0346/2010

B7‑0346/2010

European Parliament resolution on the natural disasters in Central Europe

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Article 3 of the Treaty of the EU and Articles 191 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal for a Regulation establishing a European Union Solidarity Fund (COM(2005)0108) and to Parliament’s position of 18 May 2006,

–   having regard to its resolutions of 5 September 2002 on floods in Europe, of 8 September 2005 on natural disasters (fires and floods) in Europe, of 7 September 2006 on forest fires and floods and its resolutions of 18 May 2006 on natural disasters (forest fires, droughts and floods) – agricultural aspects, regional development aspects and environmental aspects,

–   having regard to the White Paper ‘Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action’ (COM(2009)147) and to the Communication from the Commission on a Community approach on the prevention of natural and man-made disasters (COM(2009)0082),

–   having regard to the statement by the Commission on the major natural disaster in the autonomous region of Madeira of 24 February 2010,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas major natural disaster has occurred, in the form of floods taking place in various European Union Member States, particularly in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, as well as in Germany and Austria, resulting in human casualties and necessity to evacuate thousands of people,

B.  whereas the said disaster has caused serious damage, including into infrastructure, enterprises and arable land, destroying also elements of natural and cultural heritage, and possibly creating public health risks,

C. whereas it is necessary to undertake reconstruction of the areas destroyed or damaged by the disaster in order to make up for their economic and social losses,

1.  Expresses its empathy and solidarity towards the regions affected by the disaster; takes into consideration their possible serious economic effects and pays its respects and condolences to the families of the victims;

2.  Acknowledges the relentless efforts of search and rescue units, saving lives and reducing the damage in the affected areas; highlights in this respect the Balt Flood Combat unit, which is co-financed by the European Union;

3.  Respects the actions undertaken by the Member States that provided assistance to the areas affected, as European solidarity is embodied by mutual assistance in adverse situations;

4.  Calls upon the Member States and regions affected by the disaster to pay particular attention to respective sustainable plans of reconstruction, as well as to consider the feasibility of long-term investment into the Member States’ policies with disaster prevention and counteraction potential;

5.  Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to support the affected by the economic and social effects of the disaster in the swiftest possible manner;

6.  Calls upon the Commission to, following the submission of respective plans, immediately take action necessary for the most swift, effective and flexible expenditure of the financial means necessary by the European Union Solidarity Fund;

7.  Calls on the Commission to be flexible as regards negotiating with the relevant authorities if a revision of the relevant operational programmes under planning or implementation becomes necessary in the regions affected by the disaster;

8.  Calls upon the Commission to take into consideration the differences between the regions affected, which include i.a. mountain and other riverside areas, so as to assist its victims in the best possible manner;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and regional and local government in the affected areas.