While Ukraine has received 10 billion euros in aid from the European Union, even though it is not an EU member state, Hungary, which has been hit hard by the recent floods, seems unlikely to benefit from EU funds, reports RMX.
Last week, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, mentioned five Member States that could receive flood recovery aid, but Hungary was not among them. However, a spokesperson for the European Commission later pointed out that Hungary could also benefit from aid, but the situation is more complicated.
Last week, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, mentioned five Member States that could receive flood recovery aid, but Hungary was not among them. A spokesperson for the Committee was quick to react to the “mistake”, saying that Hungary could also benefit from the aid the European Union is offering to Member States affected by the floods. “Of course, this is about EU support to all affected Member States, including Hungary,” said the spokesperson, adding that at the time of the statement, damage data had only been received from the five countries mentioned – Austria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland and Slovakia. The situation is not nearly that simple, however, reports the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet.
Brussels’ promise is misleading, as the support is conditional
With 10 billion euros on offer from EU cohesion funds, financial assistance will only go to those countries that meet the criteria. This criterion states that “in the event of a major natural disaster, the total direct damage must exceed 3 billion euros in 2011 prices or 0.6 percent of the GDP of the affected country, whichever is the lower.”
Hungary has responded quickly and efficiently, so that the damage is expected to be below the threshold, but no concrete figures are yet available as flood defences are still ongoing. In other words, Hungary will not receive financial assistance from Brussels because it has effectively defended itself against the floods.
Member states face huge damage
By contrast, other Member States are facing serious damage. Following the devastating floods in Poland, first estimates of the damage in the worst affected region were put at almost 935 million euros. In Austria, a total of 700 million euros in flood damage is currently expected, although this amount is likely to increase. In Romania, the damage is estimated at 12.5 million euros and in Slovakia at 20 million euros.
Ukraine has received tens of billions in EU funds, while billions owed to Hungary are still frozen due to the “rule of law” issues and claims of a lack of democracy. Meanwhile, Ukraine is under martial law; elections are being refused, and all opposition media have been closed down.
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