25/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - A joint press release by the Finnish presidency, the Council of the EU and the European Commission on the EU's response to the crisis in Lebanon made particular mention of the fact that the presidency had actively coordinated consular cooperation and that the EU had sought to open up an evacuation corridor in the south of Lebanon. The Finnish presidency is also in liaison with the German ambassador in Lebanon, (as acting EU presidency on the spot) and an Israeli officer has been designated as the sole contact point for all evacuation operations. The European Commission is holding discussions with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for arrangements for evacuating third country nationals and preparing to use the rapid response mechanism for repatriating up to 10,000 of the most urgent cases. As well as the emergency aid package of €10 million (EUROPE 9237), the Commission is also prepared to increase its aid following appeals by the UN on Monday for a contribution of $150 million.