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(11.5.2006) the Commission Shares the Concern Expre P-1339/06EN P-1348/06EN Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission (11.5.2006) The Commission shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Members in relation to floods. Whilst recognising the importance of adopting appropriate measures at national and local level, the Commission has already taken or proposed a series of initiatives at Community level. In this context, the Commission adopted a Proposal for a Flood Risks Directive1 on 18 January 2006. This Proposal is based on the Commission Communication of July 2004 on flood risk management, flood prevention, protection and mitigation,2 on the conclusions of the Council of October 2005, and on the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee3 and of the Committee of the Regions.4 Moreover, it has taken into consideration the results of a broad consultation exercise with Member States, candidate countries, stakeholders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as the scientific community. The Proposal aims at legally binding cooperation on flood prevention/protection in shared river basins, on the development of flood maps and of flood risk management plans for those areas where the current flood risk is considered too high. Parliament and Council are currently engaged in a political debate5 on the Proposal. The Commission perceives this legislative proposal as part of an EU Flood Action Plan, which has three distinct, but interlinked, elements: (a) a proposal for a directive; (b) funding instruments6 and the promotion of their best use; (c) further research efforts and facilitation of exchange of experience and knowledge. Measures for flood prevention/protection are already eligible under the current Cohesion Policy instruments 1999-2006. As regards responses in this area, the Community Civil Protection Mechanism, established by Council 1 COM(2006) 15 final. 2 COM(2004) 472 final. 3 Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Flood risk management — Flood prevention, protection and mitigation COM(2004) 472 final, OJ C 221, 8.9.2005. 4 Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social committee and the Committee of the Regions — Flood risk management — Flood prevention, protection and mitigation, OJ C 164 , 5.7.2005. 5 First reading at the Parliament currently ongoing (rapporteur: Mr Seeber); Council Presidency has announced its intention to achieve Political Agreement on a Common Position at the Environment Council in June 2006 6 Rural Development Council Regulation (EC) 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), OJ L 277, 21.10.2005, already in force; Commission Proposals for new Cohesion Policy Regulations, Commission Proposals COM(2004)492 final, COM(2004) 494 final, COM(2004) 495 final and COM(2004) 496 final proposed on 14 July 2004, currently in political discussion at Parliament and Council); all these funding instruments provide for eligibility of measures on flood prevention/protection; the choice of priorities and projects is the responsibility of Member States. Decision 2001/792/EC Euratom,7 can be called upon by any country struck by a major disaster such as floods. The mechanism facilitates and coordinates the mobilisation of civil protection assistance available at Community level, if requested by the country affected. In the framework of the Operational Programme for East Macedonia and Thrace under the third Community Support Framework programme for Greece, the following projects have been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to deal with the problem of flooding in the Evros prefecture: – flood dykes in Pythio – Amorio – Lavara, Petalo – Peplo; – flood protection in Kipoi – Peplo – Vryssoula – Poros; – flood protection in Tychero. Furthermore, according to the information received from the competent Greek authorities, six other projects are included in the Regional Operational Programme and will be implemented in the Evros prefecture. These projects concern: – the replacement and modernisation of electromechanical equipment for the pumping station in Doroutsas; – flood protection work in Psathades, Ferres and Thymaria; – flood protection in Kornofolia; – flood protection in Sifona and at Komaron bridge; – flood protection in Soufli; – flood protection in Likofys – Laginon – Fylakto. However, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, it is for the national authorities to decide whether to include the project in a programme co-financed by the Structural Funds. Furthermore, in the framework of such a programme and the sectoral operational programme for regional development, the Member State can co-finance measures to relieve the consequences of natural disasters on investment and on plant and/or animal capital, except loss of income. In addition, the EU Solidarity Fund provides financial support in the event of a major natural disaster. Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 sets out the conditions for activating the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF).8 Financial assistance may be granted if a major natural disaster has occurred on the territory of an eligible state (Member State or country in the process of negotiating its accession to the EU). A major disaster is defined as having caused direct damage exceeding €3 billion in 2002 prices or 0.6% of the gross national income of the State in question, whichever is the lower. In 2006, the threshold for activating the EUSF applicable to Greece is thus at €1 004.137 million. The Fund can only intervene upon application from the national authorities of the State affected within 10 weeks of the first damage; the Regulation does not allow the Commission to mobilise the Fund upon its own initiative. To date (27/3/2006) no such application has been received from the Greek government. The Fund can be mobilised for natural disasters that do not reach the normal threshold only in exceptional cases, if very specific criteria are met: an extraordinary disaster affecting the majority of the population of a region and having serious and lasting effects on its economic stability and living conditions. Particular focus of this provision is on remote and isolated regions such as islands and outermost regions. Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 requires the Commission to apply these 7 Council Decision 2001/792/EC,Euratom of 23 October 2001 establishing a Community mechanism to facilitate reinforced cooperation in civil protection assistance interventions, OJ L 297, 15.11.2001 8 OJ L 311, 14.11.2002. conditions “with the utmost rigour”. Financial assistance from the EUSF may be used only for specific types of emergency operations carried out by the public authorities, such as provisional repair of vital infrastructures, providing temporary accommodation, cleaning up operations or funding rescue services. The Fund may not grant compensation for private losses, including those in agriculture. .
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