Report on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 2/2012 of the European Union for the financial year 2012, Section III – European Commission

(09916/2012 – C7-0123/2012 – 2012/2057(BUD))

This report by Francesca BALZANI (S&D, IT) was written for and adopted by the Committee on Budgets. It addresses the Council position on Draft amending budget No 2/2012 of the European Union for the financial year 2012 (Section III – European Commission).

This draft amending budget relates to the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) for EUR 18,061,682 in commitment and payment appropriations to help alleviate the effects of flooding in Liguria and Tuscany, Italy, in October 2011.

In the initial proposal, the Commission considered that it was not possible to redeploy the required payment appropriations at this stage in the year. However, all indicators pointed to a likely shortage of payment appropriations later in the year. Consequently, the Commission proposed a corresponding increase in the level of payment appropriations to be allocated.

The report notes that Members deplore the delay in release of financial aid in times of crisis, and in this case one branch of the budgetary authority awaited 8 weeks before taking its position. It is stated that Members call for an acceleration of the mobilisation of the EUSF in the future.

The European Parliament voted to approve the report on the 12th June with 647 votes for, 7 against and 16 abstentions.

To read the report click here

Alternatively visit the website at www.europarl.europa.eu

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