European Union Emergency Policy: Strengthening and Preparedness for Action in Third Countries

Jazić Aleksandar (Aleksandar Jazić, naučni saradnik, Institut za međunarodnu politiku i privredu, Beograd),

Climate change and technological developments have affected changes in the potential hazards that emergencies bring. This has also affected the possible changes in the scope of emergency situations, i.e., the possibility of their consequences being felt on a wider scale. New emergencies can particularly endanger countries that are not at a high level of economic development. The European Union has, therefore, taken steps to improve its civil protection system. The first goal of the European Union is better preparedness and the improvement of the system, which should provide a faster and more efficient response to emergency situations and disasters. The second goal is the possibility of providing more efficient and faster assistance to countries that are not its members. This applies not only to the countries on European soil but also beyond. In order to achieve these two goals, the European Union has adopted decisions establishing the European Civil Protection Fund and the rescEU. Thus, the European Union has united the capacities of the member states into one broader system, with the organization of reserve capacities and forces. By creating a more coherent system of response to emergencies, the European Union has strengthened its own preparedness while creating the preconditions for providing adequate assistance to other countries anywhere in the world.

Keywords: European Union, European Commission, emergency situations, disasters, civil protection, European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, European Civil Protection Pool, rescEU