Date: 2018-03-27Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision (EU) 2018/508 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2017 on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2018
**Policy Summary: Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund for 2018 Advances**
This decision, EU 2018/508, enacted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on December 12, 2017, concerns the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (the Fund) to provide for the payment of advances within the general budget of the Union for the 2018 financial year.
The decision addresses the need for the Union to respond rapidly and efficiently to emergency situations resulting from natural disasters, demonstrating solidarity with affected regions. The Fund, which has a maximum annual amount of EUR 500,000,000 (2011 prices), is mobilised in accordance with Article 4a(4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002.
Specifically, this decision authorises the mobilisation of EUR 50,000,000 from the Fund for commitment and payment appropriations dedicated to advance payments within the 2018 budget. This measure aims to ensure the timely availability of sufficient budgetary resources.
This Decision entered into force the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and applies retroactively from January 1, 2018.
Key Entities Referenced
European Parliament: One of the two legislative branches of the European Union.
Council of the European Union: One of the two legislative branches of the European Union, comprising representatives from member states.
European Union Solidarity Fund: A fund established to provide financial assistance to member states affected by major natural disasters.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties of the European Union.
Council Regulation EC No 2012/2002: A regulation establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund.
European Commission: An institution of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
Brussels: The de facto capital of the European Union, where the decision was made.
Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013: An agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management.
27.3.2018 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 83/13
DECISIONS
DECISION (EU) 2018/508 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 12 December 2017
on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of
advances in the general budget of the Union for 2018
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union
Solidarity Fund (1), and in particular Article 4a(4) thereof,
Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council
and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial
management (2), and in particular point 11 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The European Union Solidarity Fund (the ‘Fund’) aims to enable the Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and
flexible manner to emergency situations in order to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by
natural disasters.
(2) The Fund is not to exceed a maximum amount of EUR 500 000 000 (2011 prices) as laid down in Article 10 of
Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 (3).
(3) Article 4a(4) of 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 50 000 000 for the
payment of advances, entering the corresponding appropriations into the general budget of the Union.
(4) To ensure the timely availability of sufficient budgetary resources in the general budget of the Union for 2018,
the Fund should be mobilised in the amount of EUR 50 000 000 for the payment of advances.
(5) In order to minimise the time taken to mobilise the Fund, this Decision should apply from the beginning of the
2018 financial year,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
For the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2018, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised
to provide the amount of EUR 50 000 000 in commitment and payment appropriations for the payment of advances.
(1) OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.
(2) OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1.
(3) Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years
2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).L 83/14 EN Official Journal of the European Union 27.3.2018
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Union.
It shall apply from 1 January 2018.
Done at Brussels, 12 December 2017.
For the European Parliament For the Council
The President The President
A. TAJANI K. SIMSON