Brussels, 26/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 25 March, a further step was taken towards increased cooperation between the EU and Japan for better joint management of natural disasters. Given that the EU-Japan summit was cancelled due to the Cypriot crisis, the framework for cooperation was established by an exchange of letters between Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, and Akihiro Ohata, Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Cooperation aimed at disaster risk reduction through the sharing of experience and best practice will cover natural disasters (such as floods, drought, landslides and tsunamis) as well as man-made disasters. Cooperation will also cover preparedness and response to mega-disasters and the integration of climate change adaptation into disaster management policy.
“Natural disasters are becoming more intense and more frequent. This makes us all vulnerable. The triple disaster that hit Japan in March 2011 showed that even the best prepared countries can be overwhelmed by the force of nature”, Georgieva said.
The determination shown by both parties to strengthen their bilateral cooperation was stated after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster of Fukushima which devastated Japan in 2011.
In addition, the EU and Japan are intensifying their cooperation to promote and facilitate the delivery across the globe of humanitarian aid, based on the needs of people affected by disasters or crisis and in accordance with humanitarian principles. (AN/transl.jl)