Good news in the progress of work concerning the disaster-stricken valleys. The European Commission wants to invest in the reconstruction of the areas.
The European Commission has decided to invest to contribute to the reconstruction of the Roya, Vésubie, and Tinée valleys. For this, the principle of the European Union’s Solidarity Fund has been activated. This news has been joyfully received by the department’s elected officials. Below are their reactions.
“European solidarity is not just empty words”
Jacqueline Gourault, Minister of Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities, Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Joël Giraud, Secretary of State for Rural Affairs: “This is concrete proof that European solidarity is not just empty words, and that Europe comes to the aid of territories and citizens severely affected by this unprecedented natural disaster.”
“The ball is in the court of the Council and the European Parliament”
Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, President of Regions of France: “The ball is now in the court of the Council and the European Parliament to adopt this Fund as soon as possible and allow the affected populations to benefit from European aid as quickly as possible.”
“A great success”
Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, Deputy President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region: “I am pleased to have initiated this letter with Renaud Muselier to the President of the European Commission, the day after the disaster and to have immediately contacted the French authorities to request the activation of the European Union’s Solidarity Fund. It is a great success that will contribute to the reconstruction and resilience of our territory, so harshly affected. It is also an illustration of the Europe I believe in: supportive, pragmatic, and effective.”
“I wish to express my deep gratitude”
Charles-Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council: “The European fund for natural disasters will bring several hundred million euros of aid to our valley territories. It is a historic decision and a beautiful demonstration of European solidarity. European solidarity is being expressed toward our territories severely affected by Storm Alex. On behalf of all the people of Maralpins affected by this disaster, I wish to express my deep gratitude. This aid is essential for the reconstruction of our valleys.”
“We need to reinvent the valley because it deserves it”
Jean-Claude Guibal, Mayor of Menton, President of the French Riviera Agglomeration Community: “The Roya valley is a superb and authentic valley that connects two of the most dynamic regions in the European area, Piedmont and the Côte d’Azur. We need to reinvent it because it deserves it, but it requires considerable means. I am very happy that the State was able to obtain Europe’s support for this territory through the European Union’s Solidarity Fund, and I hope that its commitment will be quickly realized.”
“A wonderful message of hope for our mountains and villages”
Eric Ciotti, Deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes: “I salute this wonderful message of hope for our mountains and villages. Since January, I have asked the President of the European Commission to allocate the European solidarity fund for disasters to our disaster-stricken valleys in the Alpes-Maritimes. This file has now been finalized and it is a magnificent victory.”
