B3-1441, 1442, 1454, 1457 and 1494/93

Resolution on the flooding in France

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the torrential rains and the exceptionally violent storms (accompanied by the flooding of enormous areas) which, at the beginning of October, swept through south-eastern France claiming very many lives,

B.regretting the lives lost and the numerous injuries sustained,

C.having regard to the extent of the damage caused to infrastructure, public buildings and private housing as well as productive sectors such as agriculture, industry and craft activities,

D.having regard to the major hindrances to the free movement of people and to business activity caused by the breakdown in communications, in particular between France and Italy,

1.Expresses its sincere sympathy with the families of the victims and its solidarity with the populations in the affected areas;

2.Calls on the Commission and its President to take all emergency measures necessary to restore the services needed for a return to normal living and working conditions and alleviate the financial burden on business;

3.Calls therefore on the Commission to release additional ERDF funding within the framework of Objective 5b actions and the EAGGF with a view to providing homeless persons and farmers with aid and financially supporting projects to repair the damage, notably communications networks;

4.Calls also on the Commission to recommend that the Member States take effective action to avoid and limit the dramatic consequences of natural disasters;

5.Calls for consideration to be given to a project for Community participation in an exceptional programme to restore and reinforce the dykes along waterways in the stricken valleys;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the French Government.