Europese Commissie blij met besluit over het versterken van de veiligheid van de infrastructuur (en)

The security and economy of the European Union as well as its citizens' well-being depends on certain infrastructure and their services, such as our roads, airports, electricity plants, and bridges. The destruction or disruption of such infrastructure could entail the loss of lives, the loss of property, a collapse of public confidence and morale in the EU. If disruption does occur the effects must be controlled and minimised.

Following the European Commission's "Communication on a European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection [1] " and of a "Proposal for a Directive of the Council on the identification and designation of European Critical Infrastructure and the assessment of the need to improve their protection [2] " the Council of the European Union has adopted first conclusions.

Vice-President Frattini, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security said " We must protect critical infrastructure in the EU. In today's world of high-speed transport, technology and, sadly, terrorism, events in one Member State can rapidly affect others. We must work together to agree a framework within which Member States can protect Europe's critical infrastructures ".

Vice-President Frattini recognised that Member States already protect their critical infrastructure through a variety of means, but, in the future, measures must also take place under a common framework.

European Community (EC) level action will support and complement Member States' activities, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity. It will emphasis that the ultimate responsibility for protecting critical infrastructures within their national borders lies with Member States.

Working with partners in the private sector is important. Many of Europe's critical infrastructures are privately owned or operated. They must be actively involved by taking proper measures to protect their infrastructures. Such measures should include security plans and security liaison officers. The costs to owners and operators of taking these measures should be proportionate and reasonable.

Any exchange of sensitive or classified information required for the European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection, must strictly observe the provisions set up in the appropriate security procedures and regulations.

For the period 2007-2013 around 138m EUR are available for the Specific Programme `Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism and other Security related risks'. This is part of the general programme on security and safeguarding liberties.

For more information on the activities of Vice-President Frattini, please visit his website at

http://www.ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/frattini/index_en.htm