The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and to the Council (COM(2008)0557 – C6-0318/2008),

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

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets and to the opinion of the Committee on Regional Development (A6-0399/2008),

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.

on the mobilisation of the EU 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)  France has submitted an application to mobilise the Fund, concerning a disaster caused by hurricane 'Dean' in August 2007,

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

For the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2008, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 12 780 000 in commitment and payment appropriations.

Article 2

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

Done at Strasbourg,

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.