The European Union's executive on Thursday approved requests for over 160 million euros (213 million dollars) in aid from six Central European states hit by dramatic floods, paving the way for payment early in 2011. The floods swept across much of Central and Eastern Europe in June and July, causing massive damage and forcing thousands from their homes. The European Commission has approved requests from EU members the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, and from candidate member Croatia, for funding to help them recover from the devastation, dpa cited a statement issued in Brussels as saying. The bulk of the money - 105 million euros - is to go to Poland, the largest of the EU's new member states. Hungary stands to receive 22 million, Slovakia 20 million, Romania and the Czech Republic 5 million each and Croatia 4 million. The grants have to be approved by EU member states and the European Parliament. That approval is likely to come early in 2011, with payments expected to start in March, the statement said.
