MEPs in the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment (ENVI) are overwhelmingly in favour of an enhanced EU Civil Protection Mechanism, REscEU, proposed by the Commission (proposal to amend Decision 1313/2013/EU) and to be agreed in the negotiating box on the EU budget 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12494/6).
They voted by a large majority (72 votes in favour, 6 against and 1 abstention) in favour of a post-2020 Civil Protection Mechanism better able to respond to large-scale emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular thanks to the strategic reserve of medical equipment RescEU created in March. In doing so, they largely followed their rapporteur, Nikos Androulakis (S&D, Greece) (see EUROPE 12520/16).
They also reiterated their call of 5 March for a significantly larger amount to be allocated to preparedness, including for the purchase of new equipment, materials and resources needed by the EU, in order to better assist Member States when their national capacities are overstretched (see EUROPE 12440/8).
This would allow a quick and effective response to large-scale emergencies or unlikely events with a significant impact, including medical emergencies such as Covid-19, they believe.
In order to be more transparent about the use of EU funds, MEPs say it is necessary to clarify how the money is allocated between the three pillars of the mechanism - prevention, preparedness and response.
The parliamentary committee wants negotiations with the EU Council to begin urgently so that the enhanced Civil Protection Mechanism can enter into force by January 2021.
The European Parliament's vote is scheduled to take place at the plenary session from 14 to 17 September. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)