The European Parliament adopted by 639 votes to 29, with 5 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 provide for the payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2019.

Parliament approved the proposal for a decision to mobilise, within the framework of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2019, an amount of EUR 50 million in commitment and payment appropriations from the European Union Solidarity Fund for the payment of advances. The decision should apply from 1 January 2019.

The European Union Solidarity Fund aims to enable the Union to respond quickly, effectively and flexibly to emergencies and to show its solidarity with the population of regions struck by disasters. The maximum amount allocated to the Fund may not exceed EUR 500 million (at 2011 prices).

Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 provides that, where necessary in order to ensure the timely availability of budgetary resources, the Fund may be mobilised in an amount of up to EUR 50 million for the payment of advances, entering the corresponding appropriations into the general budget of the Union.

The Committee on Budgets adopted the report by Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU (EPP, CY) on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2019.

The European Union Solidarity Fund aims to enable the Union to respond quickly, effectively and flexibly to emergencies and to show its solidarity with the population of regions struck by disasters. The maximum amount allocated to the Fund may not exceed EUR 500 million (at 2011 prices).

As a reminder, Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 provides that, where necessary in order to ensure the timely availability of budgetary resources, the Fund may be mobilised in an amount of up to EUR 50 million for the payment of advances, entering the corresponding appropriations into the general budget of the Union.

An advance may be granted at the request of a Member State and following a preliminary assessment of the respective EUSF application by the Commission. The amount of the advance should not exceed 10% of the financial contribution anticipated and not exceed EUR 30 million.

The Committee on Budgets called on the European Parliament to approve the decision annexed to the motion for a resolution. The future decision is not specifically related to a particular disaster. Rather, it aims to enter into the general budget of the Union for 2019 the amount of EUR 50 million in commitment and payment appropriations for the payment of advances in a timely and efficient way in the event of a disaster occurring next year.

PURPOSE: to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2019.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.

BACKGROUND: Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, within an annual ceiling of EUR 500 million (2011 prices), over and above the relevant headings of the financial framework.

The conditions of eligibility to the Fund are detailed in the Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/20023, which foresees that an amount of up to a maximum of EUR 50 000 000 in both commitment and payment appropriations shall be included in the budget for the payment of advances.

CONTENT: in order to ensure the timely availability of sufficient budgetary resources in the general budget of the Union for 2019, the Commission proposes that the European Union Solidarity Fund be mobilised to the amount of EUR 50 million for the payment of advances .

The decision should apply from the beginning of the 2019 financial year so as to limit the time taken to mobilise the Fund.