European Dimension
The enlargement of the European Union and the risks arising from the climate change increase the probability of natural and technological disaster to occur in the region. The increased vulnerability is at odd with the principle of sustainable development and the hope to make Europe a better and safer place to live in. The protection of the population and the environment is a complex matter which should be managed in an integrated approach. It is especially important in view of the prevention and mitigation of risks. The integrated approach, in accordance with the main principals of good European governance, like openness, participation and coherence, will identify all community initiatives and methods which may have effect on the prevention of natural and technological disasters.
The programme of the E.C action for the Civil defence introduced by the resolutions adopted from 1987 onwards and by 98/22/CE decision of the Concil made on 19 December 1997 introduces the theme of cooperation between the State members as a primary aim. The least common denominator of the already submitted in a European Context is, in fact, the cooperation, the exchange of experiences and the mutual assistance between the States and the Institutions taking
Projects will strengthen interregional cooperation through experience exchange and convergence of methods and practices related to the response to major disasters. Civil protection is a major responsibility of the EU regions and given that expertise on any particular region on how to respond to catastrophic events, projects are critical in enhancing the knowledge on best practices, and understanding of successes and failures of other regions. The regions will be enabled to work together in knowledge and tools development, by effectively taking advantage of new technologies. We expect that the long term impact of this projects will be reduction in loss of life and property in case of a disaster; planning for civil protection will be improved and targeted due to better trained personnel and analytic tools. In the short term resources will be used more efficiently by utilizing innovative methods and technologies; in addition, awareness will be stimulated on civil protection which due to the infrequency of the disasters tends to take back stage to the more pressing economic and social priorities.
Projects are connected to the main policy documents for responding to disasters in the regions, of which the regions are responsible to coordinate. Projects aim is solidly build on the recommendations of the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme that foresees a network for exchange of prevention practices and tools. In the meeting of the European Directors-General for civil protection in Finland (1999) they expressed the need for cooperation between Member States as regards preparedness for disasters and promotion of exchange of information. The Central European Initiative working group on civil protection, in a 2000 conference, has identified as a major activity the implementation of the most appropriate and efficient tools for a prompt response and intervention in case of accidents.
What we have just said is reinforced by the subscription of the European Constitution and in particular by the Article I-42: Solidarity clause "The Union and its Member States shall act jointly in a spirit of solidarity if a Member State is the victim of terrorist attack or natural or man-made disaster. The Union shall mobilise all the instruments at its disposal.." and SECTION 5 about CIVIL PROTECTION Article III-184 "The Union shall encourage cooperation between Member States in order to improve the effectiveness of systems for preventing and protecting against natural or man-made disasters". We think that the implementation of common policies and strategies to manage natural disasters is apt to support steps forward integration and cohesion among people from different regions, in terms of social solidarity as well as specific Project outcomes in shared action methodologies in the field of risk prevention.
The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe reinforces the case for co-operation between Member State in the field of prevention and protection against natural or man-made disasters by proposing to introduce an article on civil protection (Article III - 184). Furthermore, Article I-42 of the Treaty calls for solidarity between Member States in case of natural disasters. In tune with the aim contained in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for European Union, signed on October 2004, the Agreement Protocol for mutual collaboration in Civil Protection Activities propose to establish a greater cohesion between the forces and the resources that each Region owns to guarantee the solidarity between all the States in case of natural or man-made disasters