Brussels, 05/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 4 July, MEPs urged the European Commission to propose a detailed action plan for 112, the European emergency number.
The European commissioner for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, answered a parliamentary question co-signed by 150 MEPs drawing his attention to the lack of progress made in implementing and promoting the number 112. Several points were highlighted: - the fixing of criteria relating to the accuracy and reliability of information concerning the place from which the caller makes the call provided to the emergency services, access by persons with disabilities, and the setting in place of a reverse 112 system that warns citizens in the event of imminent major incidents.
“It is hard to understand why in certain areas such as the economic crisis, the EU can act very quickly and why the EU is so slow to save lives with a proper 112”, said Isabelle Durant (Greens/EFA, Belgium), Vice-President of the European Parliament. Marc Tarabella (PES, Belgium) hit the nail home harder by asking the Commission if it had “something to hide”, and bemoaning the fact that MEPs did not have access to the expert working group on 112 (EGEA). MEPs called for details concerning the timetable as well as the resources deployed, inviting member states and the Commission to act together, as quickly as possible.
Hahn highlighted the fact that an effort has been made to heighten the awareness of transport companies and travel agencies and mentioned the current project work of European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT). He gave his assurance that the Commission would act with the greatest transparency and “stay vigilant on issues raised”, before inviting MEPs to encourage member states to ensure 112 is well implemented. (LM/transl.jl)