Brussels, 21/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 18 September, the EU Council of Ministers adopted without debate a directive on flood risk assessment and management, incorporating all the amendments tabled by the European Parliament in second reading. The new directive is part of the EU's action plan for managing flood risk, drawn up after the serious floods in several EU member states in 2002. The directive stipulates that by 22 December 2011, member states must make a preliminary assessment of flood risk; by 22 December 2013 they must draw up maps of flood risk areas and maps of flood risks; and member states must draw up flood risk management plans based on the aforesaid maps. The legislative text adopted can be accessed at: http: //register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/07/st03/st03618.en07.pdt (ol)