Brussels, 25/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - At the Council meeting on 22 June, EU health ministers discussed cross-border threats to health, following the proposal for a decision from the European Commission presented in December of last year to ensure the highest possible level of cooperation at EU level. The delegations underlined the importance of a high level of preparedness against any serious health crisis and suggest that this can be achieved through coordination and exchange of information among member states within the health security committee, rather than an obligation for prior consultations or recommendations by the Commission. This was regarded as important in order to respect national responsibility in the field of health. Ministers supported the Commission proposal to provide a legal mandate to the health security committee. As regards the composition of this committee, most ministers argued for a standing committee of high representatives nominated by public health authorities with the possibility of inviting experts on a case-by-case basis. The member states also strongly supported the proposal from the Danish Presidency of the Council of Ministers that Article 12 of the Commission proposal, which provides for the possibility of the adoption of binding common temporary public health measures at EU level, be deleted. The Council proposes, instead, that member states inform the security committee of a cross-border threat to health. Danish Health Minister Astrid Krag Kristensen said, in her concluding comments, that the debate had provided an excellent basis from the incoming Cypriot Presidency could work. (IL/transl.rt)