Brussels, 13/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU has expressed its “deepest condolences” to the Chinese people, following the earthquake that left 12,000 dead and injured (according to the latest report) and which devastated the province of Sichuan in the south-west of China. In a presidency declaration published on Tuesday 13 May, the presidency states, “We share the grief of all those who have lost loved ones and express our heartfelt sympathies to those who have been injured and suffered heavy material losses in this catastrophe”.
The European Commission has reaffirmed its decision to provide, “humanitarian aid, if necessary”. Experts will have to be rapidly sent out to assess existing needs on the ground, in liaison with bodies such as the International Red Cross. The Commission is currently evaluating the kind of aid it could grant China. The spokesperson for Louis Michel, the Development Commissioner, declared that the, “European Commission is following the situation very closely” and its response will be based on the requests of its partners. (A.By.)