EC President: 10 billion euros for flood-affected countries

On Thursday evening, a meeting related to the flood was held in Wrocław, attended by: Prime Minister Donald TuskPresident of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Ministers Czech and Slovakia Petr Fiala and Robert Fico, as well as the Chancellor Austria Karl Nehammer.

During a later press conference, the EC chief assured that Europe stands with Poland and others affected by the flood. She added that we must join forces to confront the element, and said that “it breaks your heart” to see how devastating the flood is. She emphasized that talks with the heads of government of the countries affected by the flood concerned how to help as quickly as possible.

– The biggest thing is to find funding for reconstruction after the disaster. For this purpose, we can use two sources, first of all the Solidarity Fund, which can be used to rebuild roads, highways, railways, bridges, i.e. infrastructure – said von der Leyen.

At the same time, she noted that she knows – looking at the scale of destruction – that this money will not be enough. – That is why we discussed together going further, when it comes to the Cohesion Fund with maximum flexibility and speed, these are priorities. That is why the Cohesion Fund will be mobilised so that it can be used flexibly in a way adapted to the needs of the country and where these needs are the greatest – she said.

Von der Leyen said that there will be pre-financing first, so the country will receive funds and then they can be used for investments. – There is no co-financing here, because this is the Cohesion Fund, 100% financing, because the time is exceptional, so the actions must be exceptional. 10 billion euros can be used from the Cohesion Fund for the countries affected by the flood, this is a crisis response,” said the head of the European Commission. She assured support for reconstruction in the coming months and years.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced after a meeting with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that our country will prepare a plan for the reconstruction of flood areas. The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria are to present similar plans. Tusk added that obtaining “satisfactory declarations” from the EC took “exactly 45 minutes”. – We needed exactly 45 minutes to agree on our expectations and to obtain satisfactory declarations from the European Commission – informed Prime Minister Donald Tusk after the meeting of leaders.

– Each of us will be responsible for the reconstruction plans of our countries after the flood – to a different extent – announced Tusk, emphasizing that each of the three countries is affected by the flood “to a different extent”.

– By combining Polish, European and local government funds, we will present a reconstruction program for all flood areas so that all those affected by this disaster have full support – said the Prime Minister.