EU Parliament Approves EUR 6.4 M in Flood Aid to Bulgaria

The European Parliament (EP) approved on Tuesday the allocation of EUR 6.4 M to Bulgaria for dealing with consequences of the harsh winter conditions in the beginning of the year, which caused floods in parts of the country.

The EP approved the report of Bulgarian MEP Andrey Novakov (EPP/GERB) on the allocation of financial aid from the EU Solidarity Fund with 660 votes in favour out of 694 MEPs present in the plenary chamber.

Novakov said that this clearly demonstrated the support European institutions have for Bulgaria in difficult moments for the country.

The report garnered the support of 95 % of MEPs without any amendments or objections being made to it.

The funds are expected to be paid by the end of the year with 10 % foreseen to be paid in advance.

The aid will reimburse expenses incurred on recovery and reinforcement works after the natural disasters affected eastern Bulgaria in January and February.

Novakov reminded that this constitutes the third time in which aid from the EU Solidarity Fund is allocated to Bulgaria.

In June 2014, the EU allocated EUR 10.5 M for dealing with the consequences of the floods in Asparuhovo and Dobrich.

Nearly EUR 2 M were allocated for dealing with the consequences of the floods in the provinces of Vratsa and Vidin.