BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0

Seminar on Strengthening Co-operation with Candidate Countries

and Western Balkan Countries in the Field of Civil Protection

24–26 February 2008, Bled/SLO

The Austrian Approach

BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0

Building road-maps

• Traditional close bilateral and regional co-operationAT-WB in JH-Affairs (Salzburg-Groupe, Brdo-Process)

• 01.01.08: Milestone for strengthening co-operation with EU and WB Entry into force of visa facilitation and readmission agreements with AL, BIH, RS, ME, FYROM

• Cooperation in the field of civil protection Another crucial step towards integration into EU

• AT fully supports Presidency initiative

BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0

Co-operation AT - WB

• Bilateral disaster relief agreements between AT - WB– CRO (2006)– FYROM: under negotiation – AL: under negotiation

• Agreement = Basis for reinforced co-operation in the field of prevention and response

BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0

Bilateral Agreements

• Designation of POC’s

• Facilitation of border crossing for relief teams

• Facilitation of import & export of relief goods and equipment

• Rules on indemnity & reimbursement

• Exchange of information

• Mutual trainings

• Mutual exercises

BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0

Fields of Reinforced Co-operation

• Long-term: EU accession

• Medium-term: Accession to Mechanism (Art 10 Recast)

• Short-term: speak a common language - Participation in seminars, WS,

training programmes, exchange of experts programme convey best practices, “EU-standards” ensure interoperability of systems & resources

(C2, fire service, modules, risk assessment etc.) the “Bled-Initiative”?

BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!