EU mulls $541m in German, Austrian, Czech flood aid

The European Commission recommended that the EU should assist Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic with around 398 million euros (541 million dollars) to help the countries recover from recent floods. The EU Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn said that move would be "an expression of European solidarity" to help the member states "get back on their feet," according to EU newsroom. The proposal by the European Commission has to be approved by EU governments and the European Parliament to come into effect. "We should give a strong signal before Christmas that we have done our jobs and kept our promises," Hahn said. The aid would come from the bloc's Solidarity Fund, which was created a decade ago to help member states cope with natural disasters. It is meant to assist countries with essential emergency operations and non-insurable damage. The devastating spring floods covered an area stretching from southern Germany through to Poland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Austria. Germany suffered a total of 8.1 billion euros in damage and is eligible for 360 million euros in EU aid, Hahn said. Austria and the Czech Republic, which saw less damage, would be in line to receive 21.6 million euros and 15.9 million euros respectively. Hungary did not qualify for any Solidarity Fund aid because it sustained only 27 million euros in damage, Hahn said. Also on Thursday, the commission proposed that Romania should be awarded 2.4 million euros in Solidarity Fund aid to help cover damage it sustained from a drought and forest fires last year.(QNA) The European Commission today recommended the need to provide the European Union help to Germany , Austria and the Czech Republic about 398 million euros / $ 541 million / to help them recover from the recent floods. Said Johannes Hahn , European Commissioner for Regional Policy said the move would be " an expression of European solidarity " to help the Member States " to stand on their feet again." Must obtain the approval of EU governments and the European Parliament on the proposal of the European Commission in order to become effective . The assistance will come from the European Solidarity Fund, which was created ten years ago to assist Member States in dealing with natural disasters and works to assist the States in which they conducted emergency operations necessary and exposed to damage is not subject to insurance. The devastating spring floods have swept an area stretching from southern Germany to Poland , Switzerland and the Czech Republic and Austria. Germany suffered losses totaling 1.8 billion euros and have the right to get help from the European Union of 360 million euros , said Han .. While you 'll Austria and the Czech Republic which have been subjected to less damage to the 6.21 million euros and 9.15 million euros respectively . Hungary is not entitled to get any assistance from the Solidarity Fund because the extent of the damage amounted to 27 million euros. The Commission also proposed the need for Romania to help fund worth 4.2 million euros to contribute to the removal of the damage that endured drought and forest fires last year.