MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the introduction of joint applications for assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund by two or more Member States

B9‑0103/2021

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the introduction of joint applications for assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund by two or more Member States

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund,

– having regard to the opinion of the European Committee of the Regions on the cross-border dimension of disaster risk reduction (DRR) of 27 June 2019,

– having regard to Rule 143 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the EU Solidarity Fund can be activated in response to a due and timely request from the designated body of a Member State;

B. whereas natural disasters occur regardless of national border demarcations and therefore emergency response calls for a cross-border dimension;

C. whereas certain geomorphological elements related to the risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods have contributed to the current demarcation of national borders and, accordingly, are at or near borders;

D. whereas two or more neighbouring Member States are not allowed to submit joint applications, which effectively precludes access to resources for border communities;

1. Urges the Commission to consider introducing a combined calculation of the ‘regional natural disaster’ threshold in order to allow two or more Member States to submit joint applications for cross-border regional disasters.