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Dzurinda: European Commission Receives Slovakia's Aid Request
Friday 30 July 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, July 30 (TASR) - The European Commission has already received Slovakia's request to provide resources in order to alleviate the damages caused by floods in late May and early June.
"We already have confirmation from the European Commission that they have received our request on providing a contribution from the Solidarity Fund," Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda said at a press conference on Friday.
According to Dzurinda, Slovakia managed to send the request on time (July 16). The request will be considered in the usual manner, taking also financial possibilities of the European budget into account. The minister, however, expects the Commission to reach a decision quickly and send an appropriate sum.
The EU rules specify that a member country can apply for aid from the Solidarity Fund if the damage exceeds 0.6 percent of gross national income for the past year. This means that to be eligible for aid, Slovakia has to suffer damage exceeding €378.21 million.
Current damage caused by the floods in May and June amounts to approximately €695.1 million, with the Agriculture Ministry reporting the highest figure - namely, €575.86 million. Facilities falling under Government Office, the Culture Ministry, the Nuclear Oversight Authority and the former Construction and Regional Development Ministry are among those affected but the extent of the damage is not yet known.
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