Brussels, 25/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of International Missing Children's Day, European Commission Vice-Presidents Viviane Reding (responsible for EU justice, fundamental rights and citizenship) and Neelie Kroes (responsible for the digital agenda) highlighted the crucial role played by the missing children's hotline 116 000. “Missing children are not forgotten children […] The Commission is completely involved in efforts to support missing and exploited children,” declared Reding. Kroes urged the EU member states where the missing children's hotline 116 000 is not yet operational (Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Sweden) to make it so as soon as possible, and she highlighted the crucial contribution that new technology can play. The commissioner declared that “only 15 member states have so far put in place the 116 000 hotline, which is clearly unacceptable […] I'm also working closely with mobile phone operators on making the 116 000 missing children's hotline more easily accessible.” In 2007, the EU adopted rules for the 116 000 number to be accessible throughout the EU territory on special lines allowing missing children to be reported and offering help and advice to their families. Since the adoption of the new EU regulation on telecoms, member states are now expected to do all they can to ensure that the 116 000 number is activated by 25 May this year. (I.L./transl.fl)