Brussels, 06/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - A safer Europe - that is one of the four top priorities of the Danish Presidency of the EU Council (see EUROPE 10523) and is also the guiding principle for the working programme in the field of civil protection. The latter falls within the sphere of competence of member states but coordination is at European level to promote operational, immediate, effective and coherent cooperation with international action in response to disasters in the world. The Danish Presidency will begin talks on various dossiers that aim to strengthen the EU's disaster response capability, step up security by reducing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats, and monitor work on the protection of vital infrastructure. It also plans to strengthen the legal basis for assessments in the context of relief operations in order to provide swifter, more flexible and less costly assistance to countries hit by natural disasters.
Recasting of 2007 Community civil protection mechanism and of its financial instrument. Discussion will cover the Commission's proposal of October 2010 aimed at promoting stronger cooperation and creating a European emergency response centre bringing together, in one and the same place, planning capacity and disaster response at both civil protection level and humanitarian aid level, and the voluntary pooling of emergency resources to ensure a swifter European response, as well as changing the areas of intervention likely to be co-financed by the Commission (see EUROPE N.10244). The Danish Presidency will examine a Commission proposal concerning recasting of the financial instrument for the period 2014-2020.
Review of action plan in CBRN field. The Danish Presidency will ensure follow-up to the progress report on the action plan adopted by the EU in 2009 in order to fight against terrorism. The report will be presented by the Commission in early 2012 and will set out the progress already made in implementation of the 124 recommendations. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions before the end of the Danish presidency, on the new priority areas of the action plan.
Inventory and designation of vital European infrastructure. Review of the 2008 directive is due to begin in January 2012. The Commission is expected to present a progress report on implementation of the directive half way through the Danish Presidency's term of office. (AN/transl.jl)