The European Commission has proposed to increase to €48.539 million Community support from the European Solidarity Fund for the fire-related disasters in Portugal this summer. This new figure changes the Commission's initial proposal of 27 August 2003 to award 31.6 million. The new figure is arrived at by applying the same methodology on an upward revised figure of total direct damage received from the Portuguese authorities within the deadline set by the regulation. The amended proposal will follow the same procedure as initially planned : the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission will have to agree on the principle during a trialogue meeting on 23 September, before the budget authority, EP and Council, can agree on making the money available through the EU budget.