Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen! The images of the destruction caused by the severe weather disasters in Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria have all moved us. Many people have lost everything. Basements need to be pumped out, houses and buildings need to be rebuilt, roads, rails, bridges - the damage to them needs to be repaired. Above all, fast and unbureaucratic help is now important. Experience has shown that it works well in cooperation between neighbouring European states and fire brigades, emergency services, technical aid agencies, and, where necessary, the military. Of course, the European Solidarity Fund also has a role to play here. But if the funds cover only a small fraction of the damage and, above all, if they are paid only when the damage has been quantified in detail and when the damage has been verified by the European Commission, then, as they say, it will happen. Too little too late. In this respect, let us urge that these funds be used more effectively and efficiently in the future!