The Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, Carlos Cuerpo, has informed Brussels that the Government will activate all European solidarity mechanisms at its disposal to help the areas affected by the Isolated High-Level Depression (DANA). This decision is part of the Executive’s actions in response to the natural disaster that has severely impacted several regions of the country.
Minister Carlos Cuerpo has held key meetings with Commissioners and senior officials of the European Commission to explore all avenues for European support in the disaster. These included Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira, Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn and European Commission Secretary-General Ilze Juhansone.
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The Government of Spain will activate all European solidarity mechanisms to support the areas affected by the hurricane
Mr Cuerpo stressed that the intention is to activate various aid instruments, including the European Union Solidarity Fund, the resources of the European Investment Bank (EIB), other available mechanisms such as the Agricultural Reserve, and all options for flexibility in the use of structural and cohesion funds will be explored.
In addition, the minister announced that a modification of the Addendum to the Recovery Plan will be proposed ‘to include a specific vector for Valencia’ and to redirect European funds ‘towards strategic projects that go beyond the immediate reaction. That go to rebuild, to modernise, to have a more resilient economy and, therefore, a more productive economy going forward’.
Carlos Cuerpo indicated that the government hopes to have this proposal for an addendum ‘before the end of the year’.
Solidarity, a fundamental value of the European Union
The minister also stressed the importance of collaboration with European institutions in order to make progress in accessing these funds and solidarity mechanisms.
In this regard, he has valued very positively the constructive and collaborative spirit since the disaster caused by the hurricane, which he has seen in meetings and contacts with Commissioners and the Vice-President of the European Commission.
‘The solidarity of the European institutions has been evident from the very first moment,’ said the minister, which “reflects the fundamental values of the European Union”. ‘We have a shared diagnosis of the growing concern about the increased frequency and intensity of these natural disasters in recent years. It is crucial to continue working to equip ourselves with resilient infrastructures and a more competitive productive structure,’ he said.