Brussels, le 16/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is launching a joint project with China to manage disasters, announced EU International Cooperation Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva recently. The EU will help Beijing improve its disaster management system and the two sides will cooperate more closely. Georgieva said this would be of benefit to the EU and China alike because good disaster preparation will reduce the impact of disasters and deal with victims appropriately and efficiently, which is conducive to sustainable development and good governance.
The EU started working with China in this domain in 2008 after the earthquake that devastated the Szechuan province of China, when the European Commission offered help to reduce the risk of further disasters. A financing agreement was signed in November 2010, with €6 million earmarked by the EU's financing and development cooperation fund. China pledged to provide some €3 million in aid.
The new project will be supervised by the EU in Beijing and will be implemented by a European cartel probably selected after a call for tender and direct subsidies. Georgieva will shortly be meeting with a Chinese government advisor, Ma Kai, and the Chinese foreign, water resources and civil affairs minister. (EL/transl.fl)