Brussels19/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 18 January, the European Union moved a step closer to the establishment of a European Voluntary Humanitarian Corps Aid Corps, as provided for under the Lisbon Treaty (Article 214.5), open to any EU passport-holder who wishes to participate in aid work around the world.
The members of the European Parliament's development committee unanimously adopted a report by Michèle Striffler (EPP, France), the committee's vice-chair and permanent EP rapporteur on humanitarian aid, recommending that the plenary should adopt rules for the introduction of the corps, as finalised in the trialogue meetings.
The EU's voluntary corps will have a budget of some €148 million in 2014-2020. “The EU Aid Volunteers will bring real added value that will contribute to reinforcing the ability of the EU to respond to humanitarian crises. Their deployment will be based on the needs identified on the ground in order to help the most vulnerable people. Therefore, every European citizen will be able to participate in this admirable initiative which is one of the innovations of the Lisbon Treay”, said Striffler, adding: “Solidarity constitutes a fundamental value of the EU and volunteering is a concrete and visible expression of this solidarity. The number and scale of humanitarian crises around the world have increased considerably. Humanitarian aid is a moral imperative”.
The rapporteur explained: “The selection of volunteers will respect a diversity of profiles and skills among young people, pensioners and experts. Moreover, the European Commission will support operations to enhance the experience of volunteers, including certification at the end of the deployment on the ground”. The draft legislation will be adopted by the EP plenary in February 2014. (AN/transl.fl)