site.btaBulgaria Supports EC's rescEU Initiative for Disaster Management

Sofia, April 12 (BTA) - Bulgaria supports the rescEU initiative of the European Commission (EC) for disaster management, Interior Minister Valentin Radev told reporters on Thursday. Radev said that work on the topic is underway during the Bulgarian EU Presidency, in working groups and at higher level. On Thursday Radev attended a meeting of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

The participants in the meeting, held on Stylianides' initiative, discussed priorities in the area of humanitarian aid and disaster response, with a focus on rescEU - the new European system for disaster management which complements the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism.

Stylianides thanked Borissov for Bulgaria's support for rescEU. The guest concurred with Borissov's position that the natural disasters in the recent years have proved that the existing response system in Europe falls short of the needs. The Commissioner said that rescEU does not replace but builds on the national crises response systems so as to ensure quick and effective response and rescue.

Stylianides said that Bulgaria already plays a key role in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, in various disasters, such as forest fires and floodings. He said this country has always been among the first to render aid to Greece, Turkey or Montenegro, which is proof of the genuine solidarity that exists in the EU.