06/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - Turkey joins EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Turkey is now a participating state in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the European Commission announced on Wednesday 6 May. Alongside the 28 member states of the EU, FYROM, Norway and Iceland, Turkey will be able to offer its expertise and rescue capacity in response to requests for assistance made through the civil protection mechanism of the EU following a disaster. It will take part in joint civil protection training and exercises, disaster prevention and preparation projects and rescue operations coordinated at European level in emergency situations, the co-funding of humanitarian transport operations and the sharing of best practices. (AN)