Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Change 7

AddedEXPLANATORY STATEMENT

AddedThe Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 for an amount of EUR 144 099 756 to provide assistance to Romania following the floods at the end of May 2025, Cyprus following the wildfires in July 2025 and Spain following the wildfires in August 2025.

AddedRomania – regional natural disaster: floods starting on 27 May 2025

AddedBetween 26 May and early June 2025, Romania experienced several days of heavy rains which led to flooding in the Centru, Sud Muntenia and Nord Est regions. The most severe damage was recorded at the Praid Salt Mine, where flood water from the Corund river dissolved part of the riverbed, severely damaging the hydrotechnical infrastructure of the area and penetrating into the mine. The flooding compromised the stability of the salt support pillars and endangered the structural integrity of the site. In other parts of the affected regions, hail and strong winds caused widespread infrastructure damage, while public services were disrupted and thousands of households were left without electricity.

AddedThe Romanian authorities estimated the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 573.59 million. According to the Commission, the direct damage expressed as a percentage of the weighted regional GDP of the affected regions amounted to 1.8%, which exceeds the 1.5% threshold applicable to regional natural disasters under Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation. The disaster therefore qualifies as a regional natural disaster within the meaning of the Regulation.

AddedCyprus – major natural disaster: wildfires in July 2025

AddedDuring the summer of 2025, Cyprus experienced a combination of prolonged drought, extreme heatwaves and strong winds which created the conditions for unprecedented wildfires in the Limassol and Pafos regions in July. The fires forced thousands of residents to evacuate, caused the closure or reduction of services in several schools and health establishments, destroyed close to 900 private properties and led to at least 2 fatalities. The Cypriot authorities also requested support through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, and Greece provided a ground forest firefighting module in response.

AddedThe Commission accepted total direct damage of EUR 252.68 million as plausible. This amount exceeds the threshold applicable to Cyprus for a major natural disaster, corresponding to 0.6% of GNI, which was EUR 170.05 million in 2025. The disaster therefore qualifies as a major natural disaster under Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

AddedSpain – major natural disaster: wildfires in August 2025

AddedIn August 2025, Spain experienced a third and most destructive wave of severe wildfires following a summer marked by prolonged drought, extreme heatwaves and multiple fire outbreaks. The fires affected 16 Autonomous Communities, caused major environmental, social and economic damage, destroyed livelihoods particularly in rural areas and led to numerous evacuations. The Spanish authorities also requested assistance through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, with support provided by nine Member States. The wildfires caused at least 8 fatalities.

AddedThe Spanish authorities estimated the total direct damage at EUR 4 318.27 million. The Commission considered this amount to exceed the threshold applicable to Spain for a major natural disaster, namely EUR 3 958.44 million in 2025. The disaster therefore qualifies as a major natural disaster under Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

AddedConclusion

AddedThe methodology for calculating EUSF aid was set out in the 2002–2003 Annual Report on the EUSF and accepted by the European Parliament and the Council. The EUSF contribution may not exceed the estimated total cost of eligible operations. Applying the methodology outlined above, the Commission has evaluated the EUSF aid in response to the three applications submitted by Romania, Cyprus and Spain, and therefore proposes to the budget authority to mobilise the following amounts:

AddedCouncil Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 (hereafter ‘the MFF Regulation’), allows for the mobilisation of the EUSF in the context of the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR). Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/765 (hereafter the amended MFF Regulation’) split the SEAR in two separate instruments: the European Solidarity Reserve and the Emergency Aid Reserve.

AddedThe European Solidarity Reserve with an annual amount of EUR 1 016 million in 2018 prices (corresponding to EUR 1 190.4 million in 2026 prices) will be used for assistance to respond to emergency situations covered by the EUSF. Point 10 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation on budgetary matters and on sound financial management as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, lays down the modalities for the mobilisation of the EUSF in the context of the SEAR.

AddedIn order to avoid an early depletion of the annual allocation, Article 3(7) of the EUSF Regulation and Article 9(2), second subparagraph of the amended MFF Regulation stipulate that 25% of the annual EUSF allocation must remain available on 1 October of each year (end-of-year-cushion). In 2026, this amount corresponds to EUR 297.6 million.

AddedMoreover, according to Article 4a(4) of the EUSF Regulation, the amount of EUR 50 million has already been inscribed in the General Budget 2026 (in commitments and payments) for the payment of possible advances. Both Cyprus and Spain requested and were granted advance payments of EUR 2.32 million and EUR 30.14 million, respectively.

AddedIn accordance with Article 9(2) of the amended MFF Regulation, any portion of the annual amount not used in a given year n may be used up to year n+1. The amount of EUR 21.3 million has been carried over from 2025 to 2026, of which EUR 20.85 million are available for the payment of possible advances9.

AddedIn conclusion, the total available amount on the reserve line before 1 October is EUR 843.25 million (excluding advances and end-of-year cushion), which is sufficient to cover the proposed amount for mobilisation.

AddedThe rapporteur supports the swift adoption of the Commission proposal for a decision annexed to this report and the rapid release of the corresponding financial assistance, as a sign of European solidarity with Romania, Cyprus and Spain.

AddedThe rapporteur calls on the Commission that this financial contribution should be delivered with particular urgency.