The Commissioner-designate for Crisis Management, Slovenian Janez Lenarčič, has repeatedly stressed the need for an integrated, or holistic, approach to dealing with crises in his answers to MEPs' written questions on Friday 27 September.
In his view, the current crises facing the European Union are becoming increasingly dire, complex and long-lasting, with climate change at the forefront, and the adoption of an “integrated approach” to managing these crises, which combine emergency relief and long-term solutions, is proving more essential than ever.
To this end, Mr Lenarčič stressed the importance of working closely with other Commissioners, in particular those who will be responsible for the environment, oceans, climate, foreign policy, development, neighbourhood and security. He also said he wanted to put more emphasis on prevention, preparedness and adaptation to climate change.
“I will work with the High Representative/Vice-President and other Commissioners on developing an integrated approach, ensuring that humanitarian, development, security and other policies such as climate and environment all work together”, he wrote in his responses.
“Humanitarian aid cannot and should not be a substitute for a political solution to a conflict”, he stressed.
A desire for continuity. When asked about concrete measures he would consider taking as a Commissioner, the Slovenian seems to want to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Christos Stylianides.
For example, he confirmed that, if his application was validated, the ‘European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid’ – the 2007 interinstitutional agreement (Parliament/Commission/EU Council), which aims to improve the coherence, effectiveness and quality of the EU's humanitarian response – would remain the guiding framework for the Union's humanitarian aid.
In addition, Mr Lenarčič said he would ensure that the commitments made at the ‘World Humanitarian Summit’ (WHS) and the ‘Great Negotiation’ – an agreement signed in 2016 by major donors and humanitarian organizations around the world to improve the way humanitarian aid is allocated – continue to be implemented.
He also wishes to strengthen the role of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) as a single operational centre responsible for managing the EU's response to a wide range of crises both within and outside the Union.
Finally, he assured MEPs that he would work to establish a knowledge network on emergency management, in particular to improve the EU’s response to each phase of the crisis management cycle (prevention, preparedness and response).
His hearing will be held on 2 October, before the members of the European Parliament's Development and Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committees.
See Mr Lenarčič’s replies: https://bit.ly/2miQYTX (Damien Genicot)