GAERC - Council Conclusions on the earthquake and tsunamis in the Indian Ocean

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. Following its preliminary discussions at its extraordinary meeting on 7 January 2005 and in the light of initial lessons drawn from the recent events, the Council has adopted an action plan intended to encompass all the initiatives to be taken by the Union and its Member States.

2. The principal aim of this action plan is to better coordinate all the available resources at all levels and in all areas (analysis, planning of resources, operational action, prevention, etc.) to deal effectively with the consequences of such events now and in the future. The action plan assesses the short-term activities in the regions affected, especially as regards the mobilisation of budgetary and financial resources and measures to bolster the action already being taken on the ground (humanitarian aid and military resources), as well as medium-term reconstruction efforts. The action plan also outlines possible action to deal with disasters of this type or a similar nature both inside and outside the Union, focusing on better use of existing instruments, the possibilities for developing an EU rapid response capability (a structure to plan, coordinate and mobilise resources), closer consular cooperation to assist European citizens) and, lastly, the potential role of projects such as the creation of a "European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps".

3. On this occasion the Council heard a presentation by President Barroso outlining the work already under way at the Commission and the prospects which it offers for stepping up Union action in the future. The Council welcomed this significant contribution to the activities in progress.

4. In order to ensure that this issue is properly monitored at political level, the Council will be kept abreast of developments and will reassess the situation at its meeting on 25 and 26 April 2005 in the presence of the Development Ministers."

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• EU Parliament - Aid for Tsunami-hit areas and Slovakia on the way  (14/7/2005)
• More aid on the way for Tsunami victims (27/4/2005)
• Post tsunami: the Commission reinforces its disaster response capacity (20/4/2005)
• EU humanitarian aid to Asian Tsunami (31/1/2005)
• EP - Fishing boats for tsunami victims (26/1/2005)
• Tsunami trade measures - Green light for proposal to fast-track GSP changes (20/1/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Tsunami aftermath (18/1/2005)
• The EC supports the UN Disaster Reduction Conference in Kobe (17/1/2005)
• President Barroso's Speech at EP on aftermath of earthquake and Tsunami (12/1/2005)
• EC's satellite analysis supporting international Tsunami information gathering efforts (11/1/2005)