The European Commission is considering granting emergency aid for the Czech Republic following the flooding and heavy rains that have killed at least seven people.
Massive flooding has forced the Czech government to declare a state of emergency in four regions and in Prague, where around 50,000 residents were ordered to be evacuated.
But a Commission spokesman said it had no system to provide emergency aid for natural disasters - either for its 15 member states or candidate countries.
"There was a budgetary allowance for emergency aid for this type of disaster, but it was cancelled by the European Parliament," he said.
EU member states Germany and Austria, where dozens have been killed by freak floods and rains, may be allowed to restructure already allocated EU structural funds to pay for the damage, the spokesman said.
Candidate countries such as the Czech Republic - which is seeking to join the European Union in 2004 - may be eligible for "pre-membership" aid.
AFP