The European Commission and European External Action Service has recently published a joint communication on Preparedness Union Strategy to prevent and respond to emerging threats and crises in Europe. It comes as the EU is facing increasingly complex crises and challenges that cannot be ignored. From growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid and cybersecurity threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, to climate change and increasing natural disasters, the EU needs to be ready to protect its citizens and the key societal functions that are crucial for democracy and daily life. The Strategy includes 30 key actions and a detailed Action Plan to advance the Preparedness Union's objectives.
In her first reaction Urrutia said "Regions and cities have a crucial role to play in the EU’s preparedness architecture. I will ensure that the opinion reflects the practical realities of local authorities, promote multilevel governance, and reinforce the capacity of subnational governments to anticipate and respond to evolving threats—from cyberattacks and hybrid risks to climate-driven disasters."
The EPP-CoR group and its members have been very actively working on this topic. In April EPP-CoR local and regional leaders met in Valencia to call for a comprehensive and societal approach to preparedness and resilience. They adopted a declaration which sets out a shared vision for strengthening Europe’s preparedness through multi-level governance, strategic investment, and societal engagement.
Indicative timeline for adoption:
• exchange of views in the NAT commission on 11 July;
• discussion and adoption in the NAT commission on 23 September;
• final adoption at the Plenary session on 10-11 December
Opinions
