A “concrete” expression of solidarity has been agreed by the European Union for the earthquake victims of Italy, Spain and Portugal. In particular, Italy and Spain will benefit from 56,250 million euros, Portugal 48,539 million euros. Italy will receive the aid to indemnify the damage caused by the recent earthquake in Molise and Apulia, as well as by the eruption of Etna, Spain for the catastrophe of the oil tanker Prestige, Portugal for the forest fires this summer. The allocation of the aid was requested by the European Commission, which recently presented two proposals to the EU Solidarity Fund, set up last year to indemnify the victims of damage caused by large-scale natural disasters. A report unanimously approved by the Budgetary Commission of the European Parliament points out, however, that the damage caused by natural disasters could have been prevented, and urges that incentives be put in place for the development of policies of prevention and proper norms for the conservation and correct use of the territory.
