REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, in accordance with point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management

5.6.2012 - (COM(2012)0126 – C7‑0078/2012 – 2012/2051(BUD))

Committee on Budgets
Rapporteur: José Manuel Fernandes

Procedure : 2012/2051(BUD)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
A7-0182/2012
Texts tabled :
A7-0182/2012
Debates :
Texts adopted :

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, in accordance with point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management

(COM(2012)0126 – C7‑0078/2012 – 2012/2051(BUD))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2012)0126 – C7‑0078/2012),

–   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[1], 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[2],

–   having regard to the Joint Declaration of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, adopted during the conciliation meeting on 17 July 2008 on the Solidarity Fund,

–   having regard to the letter of the Committee on Regional Development,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A7-0182/2012),

1.  Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;

2.  Instructs its President to sign the decision with the President of the Council and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

3.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission.

  • [1]  OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
  • [2]  OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.

ANNEX: DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of xxx

on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, in accordance with point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management

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[1], 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[2],

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.

(4)      Italy submitted an application to mobilise the Fund, concerning a disaster caused by flooding in Liguria and Tuscany.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2012, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 18 061 682 in commitment and payment appropriations.

Article 2

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at …

For the European Parliament                      For the Council

The President                                                The President

  • [1]               OJ C 139, 14.06.2006, p. 1.
  • [2]               OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Commission proposes to mobilise the European Solidarity Fund in favour of Italy on the basis of point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006. The IIA allows the mobilisation of the Fund within the annual ceiling of EUR 1 billion. This is the first proposal to mobilise the Fund in 2012.

In parallel to this proposal to mobilise the Solidarity Fund in favour of Italy, the Commission has presented a draft amending budget (DAB No 2/2012 of 16 March 2012) in order to enter in the 2012 budget the corresponding commitment and payment appropriations as foreseen in point 26 of the IIA.

The Rapporteur welcomes that the Commission has proposed the mobilisation of the EUSF as a sole issue in the DAB 02/2012, in accordance with the European Parliament and Council joint declaration of 17 July 2008.

Italy applied for assistance of Fund following the flooding that affected the regions of Liguria and Tuscany in October 2011, causing severe damage to to residential homes, businesses and agriculture and the disruption of major transport links and essential public infrastructure networks.

The total direct damage caused by the flooding, as estimated by the Italian authorities, amounts to EUR 722,5 million. The disaster has been qualified as of natural origin and therefore falls within the field of application of the Solidarity Fund.

After verifying that this application complies with the eligibility criteria of Council regulation (EC) N° 2012/2002 the Commission proposed to mobilise the EU solidarity Fund for a total amount of EUR 18 061 682 in commitment and payment appropriations.

This amount will leave at least 25% of the Fund available for allocation during the last quarter of the year, as required by Article 4(2) of EC Regulation 2012/2002.

The European Commission has proposed to redeploy the EUR 18 061 682 in payment appropriations from the budget line 13 06 01 under Heading 3b of the Financial Framework established for deployment of European Union Solidarity Fund in Member States.

Figures - Solidarity Fund

 

 

 

 

 

(EUR)

 

Direct damage accepted

Threshold

Amount based on 2,5 %

 

Amount based on 6 %

 

Total amount ofaid proposed

 

Liguria and Tuscany flooding 2011

722,467 million

3 536 million

18 061 682

-

18 061 682

Total

 

 

 

 

18 061 682

According to point 26 of the IIA of 17 May 2006, when presenting this proposal to deploy the Fund, the Commission initiates the simplified trilogue procedure 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.

According to an internal agreement with the Committee on Regional Development Committee (REGI), this committee should be associated to the process, in order to provide constructive support and contribution to the implementation of the EU Solidarity Fund.

Following the assessment of the requests, the REGI committee of the European Parliament gave their views on the mobilisation of the Fund, as expressed in the letter of opinion attached to the present report.

The Rapporteur recommends the approval of the Commission proposal for a decision annexed to this report.

Summary table by heading of the Financial Framework

Financial frameworkHeading/subheading

 

2012 Financial framework

Budget 2012 (incl. DAB 1/2012)

DAB 2/2012

Budget 2012

(incl. DAB 1-2/2012)

CA

PA

CA

PA

CA

PA

CA

PA

1. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1a. Competitiveness for growth and employment

14 853 000 000

 

15 403 000 000

11 500 977 788

 

 

15 403 000 000

11 500 977 788

Margin

 

 

-50 000 000

 

 

 

-50 000 000

 

1b. Cohesion for growth and employment

52 761 000 000

 

52 752 576 141

43 835 746 321

 

 

52 752 576 141

43 835 746 321

Margin

 

 

8 423 859

 

 

 

8 423 859

 

Total

67 614 000 000

 

68 155 576 141

55 336 724 109

 

 

68 155 576 141

55 336 724 109

Margin[1]

 

 

-41 576 141

 

 

 

-41 576 141

 

2. PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of which market related expenditure and direct payments

48 093 000 000

 

43 969 637 305

43 875 978 049

 

 

43 969 637 305

43 875 978 049

Total

60 810 000 000

 

59 975 774 185

57 034 220 262

 

 

59 975 774 185

57 034 220 262

Margin

 

 

834 225 815

 

 

 

834 225 815

 

3. CITIZENSHIP, FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3a. Freedom, Security and Justice

1 406 000 000

 

1 367 806 560

835 577 878

 

 

1 367 806 560

835 577 878

Margin

 

 

38 193 440

 

 

 

38 193 440

 

3b. Citizenship

699 000 000

 

697 436 780

648 700 180

18 061 682

18 061 682

715 498 462

666 761 862

Margin

 

 

1 563 220

 

 

 

1 563 220

 

Total

2 105 000 000

 

2 065 243 340

1 484 278 058

18 061 682

18 061 682

2 083 305 022

1 502 339 740

Margin[2]

 

 

39 756 660

 

 

 

39 756 660

 

4. EU AS A GLOBAL PLAYER

8 997 000 000

 

9 405 937 000

6 955 083 523

 

 

9 405 937 000

6 955 083 523

Margin[3]

 

 

-150 000 000

 

 

 

-150 000 000

 

5. ADMINISTRATION

8523 000 000

 

8 279 641 996

8 277 736 996

 

 

8 279 641 996

8 277 736 996

Margin[4]

 

 

327 358 004

 

 

 

327 358 004

 

TOTAL

148 049 000 000

141 360 000 000

147 882 172 662

129 088 042 948

18 061 682

18 061 682

147 900 234 344

129 106 104 630

Margin

 

 

1 209 764 338

12 445 957 052

 

 

1 209 764 338

12 445 957 052

  • [1]               The European Globalisation adjustment Fund (EGF) is not included in the calculation of the margin under Heading 1a (EUR 500 million). EUR 50 million above the ceiling is financed by the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument.
  • [2]               The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) amount is entered over and above the relevant headings as foreseen by the IIA of 17 May 2006 (OJ C 139 of 14.6.2006)
  • [3]               The 2012 margin for heading 4 does not take into account the appropriations related to the Emergency Aid Reserve (EUR 258,9 million). EUR 150 million above the ceiling is financed by the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument.
  • [4]               For calculating the margin under the ceiling for heading 5, account is taken of the footnote (1) of the financial framework 2007-2013 for an amount of EUR 84 million for the staff contributions to the pension scheme.

ANNEX: LETTER OF THE COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Committee on Regional Development

The Chair

Mr. Alain Lamassoure

Chairman

Committee on Budgets

Building Altiero Spinelli-13E205

Brussels

11.05.2012

Subject:           Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund in favour of Italy

Dear Mr. Lamassoure,

The European Commission has informed the European Parliament, in its proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund (COM(2012)0126), that on the basis of applications to mobilise the Fund submitted by Italy, in relation to flooding in Liguria and Tuscany in October 2011, it proposes the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund, estimating the damage caused as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

(EUR)

 

Direct damage accepted

Threshold

Amount based on 2,5 %

 

Amount based on 6 %

 

Total amount ofaid proposed

 

Liguria and Tuscany flooding 2011

722,467 million

3 536 million

18 061 682

-

18 061 682

Total

 

 

 

 

18 061 682

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 18 061 682, to be allocated under heading 3b of the financial framework.

In order to avoid undue delay in approving this measure, we are pleased to inform you that the Committee on Regional Development has no objection to the proposed mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund to allocate the above-mentioned amounts to the Financial Framework heading concerned as proposed by the Commission, and in accordance with the rules laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 and in Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, of 11 November 2002, establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund.

Yours sincerely,

Danuta Hübner

RESULT OF FINAL VOTE IN COMMITTEE

Date adopted

31.5.2012

 

 

 

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

34

2

0

Members present for the final vote

Marta Andreasen, Richard Ashworth, Francesca Balzani, Zuzana Brzobohatá, Jean-Luc Dehaene, James Elles, Göran Färm, José Manuel Fernandes, Eider Gardiazábal Rubial, Salvador Garriga Polledo, Jens Geier, Ivars Godmanis, Lucas Hartong, Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska, Anne E. Jensen, Ivailo Kalfin, Sergej Kozlík, Jan Kozłowski, Alain Lamassoure, Giovanni La Via, Claudio Morganti, Juan Andrés Naranjo Escobar, Nadezhda Neynsky, Dominique Riquet, Alda Sousa, László Surján, Jacek Włosowicz

Substitute(s) present for the final vote

François Alfonsi, Alexander Alvaro, Charles Goerens, Edit Herczog, Jürgen Klute, Jan Olbrycht, Paul Rübig, Peter Šťastný, Gianluca Susta