11/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on Tuesday, MEPs backed the European strategy to protect critical infrastructure unveiled by the European Commission in a draft directive in 2006 (see EUROPE 9326). Based on an advisory report by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (ALDE, the Netherlands), the MEPs point out that it must be member states first which are responsible for protecting infrastructure and private operators second. The strategy takes account of dangers due to the human factor, technological threats, natural disasters and structural threats but the MEPs feel that terrorist threats should be the priority. The European Commission's draft directive foresees that member states would have to identify and monitor critical European infrastructure in line with special criteria for each industry to be decided upon by national governments, the European Commission and other parties. Earlier this month the European Parliament's transport and tourism committee suggested rejecting the European Commission's draft directive (EUROPE 9460). (bc)