Latest news with #PreparednessUnionStrategy
Euronews
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Eight EU countries form coalition on crisis preparedness
Eight EU countries on Thursday launched a coalition of the willing on crisis preparedness calling for "urgent, European coordinated action" to make the bloc more resilient to natural and man-made disasters. Crisis preparedness is a national competence across the EU but the new coalition of the willing - made up of Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, and Sweden - said in a statement that "efforts from member states and the EU's institutions" are needed "as crises have become increasingly cross-border, cross-sectoral and grow in complexity". "Russia is engaging in destabilising actions that could affect all member states. We can see that this capability could potentially increase if Russia is no longer as involved in Ukraine -- if we reach a peace agreement," Swedish Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin told Euronews. "That's why it is very important that all member states work on civil preparedness and strengthening resilience." "To have a credible military capability, we also need a credible ability to handle crises within our society. We must show that we will never give up. If an adversary were to launch an unjust attack against us, we need to make it clear that we are resilient — and present a robust society that is seen as not worth attacking," he added. Some of the threats the new coalition says the EU needs to bolster its preparedness and resilience against include military, hybrid, terrorist and criminal threats, foreign manipulation and interference, and other disruptions caused by natural or human-made disasters. Ministers taking part in the meeting agreed to develop and work on a Joint Coalition Agenda that would see them implement the Preparedness Union Strategy proposed by the European Commission two months ago. The Commission is arguing there is a need for harmonisation across the 27 member states as levels of crisis preparedness differ widely, due to varying threat assessments based primarily on geography. The plan by the EU's executive called for increasing stockpiles of essential equipment and supplies including medical countermeasures, critical raw materials, and energy equipment as well as improving cooperation between civilian and military authorities. The flagship initiative, however, was a call for member states to develop a 72-hour survival kit for citizens. This kit, Crisis Preparedness Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said at the time, ought to include food, water, medicines, a portable radio, a flashlight, spare batteries, chargers, cash, copies of important documents including medical prescriptions, spare keys, warm clothes and basic tools such as utility knives. The initiative was immediately branded by some as alarmist and fearmongering but a prolonged nationwide blackout in Spain last month saw the Commission partially vindicated. "In the Netherlands, we are already working hard on resilience, but it is important not to limit ourselves to national borders. Moreover, we can learn a lot from the countries around us that are already more advanced," David van Weel, the Dutch minister of justice and security said, citing Sweden, Denmark and the Baltic states as examples. "A resilient European Union makes us stronger and ensures that Europe is prepared for disruptions to society caused by different types of crises. It is also not just about emergency kits for EU citizens, but also, for example, repairing the electricity grid or other vital infrastructure. You can think trained citizens as civil protection workers to get destroyed electricity sheds up and running again, put out fires or provide first medical aid in a crisis," he added. The group plans to meet twice yearly, with the next meeting to be held in Sweden. Euronews understands that Poland and Germany have expressed interest in joining the coalition.
Euronews
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
8 EU countries form coalition of the willing on crisis preparedness
Eight EU countries on Thursday launched a coalition of the willing on crisis preparedness calling for "urgent, European coordinated action" to make the bloc more resilient to natural and man-made disasters. Crisis preparedness is a national competence across the EU but the new coalition of the willing - made up of Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, and Sweden - said in a statement that "efforts from member states and the EU's institutions" are needed "as crises have become increasingly cross-border, cross-sectoral and grow in complexity". "Russia is engaging in destabilising actions that could affect all member states. We can see that this capability could potentially increase if Russia is no longer as involved in Ukraine -- if we reach a peace agreement," Swedish Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin told Euronews. "That's why it is very important that all member states work on civil preparedness and strengthening resilience." "To have a credible military capability, we also need a credible ability to handle crises within our society. We must show that we will never give up. If an adversary were to launch an unjust attack against us, we need to make it clear that we are resilient — and present a robust society that is seen as not worth attacking," he added. Some of the threats the new coalition says the EU needs to bolster its preparedness and resilience against include military, hybrid, terrorist and criminal threats, foreign manipulation and interference, and other disruptions caused by natural or human-made disasters. Ministers taking part in the meeting agreed to develop and work on a Joint Coalition Agenda that would see them implement the Preparedness Union Strategy proposed by the European Commission two months ago. The Commission is arguing there is a need for harmonisation across the 27 member states as levels of crisis preparedness differ widely, due to varying threat assessments based primarily on geography. The plan by the EU's executive called for increasing stockpiles of essential equipment and supplies including medical countermeasures, critical raw materials, and energy equipment as well as improving cooperation between civilian and military authorities. The flagship initiative, however, was a call for member states to develop a 72-hour survival kit for citizens. This kit, Crisis Preparedness Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said at the time, ought to include food, water, medicines, a portable radio, a flashlight, spare batteries, chargers, cash, copies of important documents including medical prescriptions, spare keys, warm clothes and basic tools such as utility knives. The initiative was immediately branded by some as alarmist and fearmongering but a prolonged nationwide blackout in Spain last month saw the Commission partially vindicated. "In the Netherlands, we are already working hard on resilience, but it is important not to limit ourselves to national borders. Moreover, we can learn a lot from the countries around us that are already more advanced," David van Weel, the Dutch minister of justice and security said, citing Sweden, Denmark and the Baltic states as examples. "A resilient European Union makes us stronger and ensures that Europe is prepared for disruptions to society caused by different types of crises. It is also not just about emergency kits for EU citizens, but also, for example, repairing the electricity grid or other vital infrastructure. You can think trained citizens as civil protection workers to get destroyed electricity sheds up and running again, put out fires or provide first medical aid in a crisis," he added. The group plans to meet twice yearly, with the next meeting to be held in Sweden. Euronews understands that Poland and Germany have expressed interest in joining the coalition.
RTÉ News
30-04-2025
- Climate
- RTÉ News
How to prepare your household for a power outage
Earlier this week, Spain, Portugal and parts of France endured a widespread electricity blackout, leaving millions without power. Suddenly, people across the Iberian Peninsula were faced with hour-long queues at ATMS, escape lifts stuck between floors, and electronic security systems locking them out of their homes. This has sparked many across Europe to consider preparing for the possibility of similar blackouts. In March of this year, the Commission and High Representative launched the Preparedness Union Strategy to "enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats". Part of this plan included 'promoting population preparedness', a strategy that asked citizens to stockpile at least 72 hours' worth of food, water and other essentials to help them cope in a potential future crisis. Here, we have listed some other helpful tips so you can feel prepared in case of an emergency. Things to keep in your emergency kit Bottled water Non-perishable food that is ready to eat Stocked-up first aid kit - easy access to medication such as an inhaler, insulin, etc. Torch and spare batteries Battery-operated LED lanterns or candles Charged power banks, charging cables, and car chargers Baby supplies - baby food, formula, boiled water, nappies, wipes Pet food Toiletries Hot-water bottle, blankets, warm clothes A crank radio - information and updates are usually broadcast on radio stations. Consider a battery-operated security system or motion-activated lights outside your home Things to prepare Have your MPRN number readily available - this can be found on your electricity bill Have a list of emergency numbers available Know where your household fuses and trip switches are If you have electronic gates or keycodes, be sure to have a manual override ready If you are dependent on electricity for medical reasons, contact your supplier Things to do during an outage
Euronews
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Orbán on the EU's survival kit proposal: 'Are these people up to something?'
ADVERTISEMENT Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was the first national leader to react to the EU Commission's advice for people to prepare a 72-hour survival kit for emergency situations. The EU wants every member state to develop a 72-hour survival kit for citizens to face any new crisis that might emerge as part of its Preparedness Union Strategy which also calls for more stockpiling of essential supplies and for improved civilian-military cooperation. Viktor Orbán denounced those plans in his weekly address on national radio. "Let's try to understand why they are doing this. I see that Brussels is preparing for war. So this must be taken seriously," he said. Orbán said he does not think that Europe is threatened by war from outside, and the fighting in Ukraine would not reach Budapest, Warsaw or the Baltic states, as no one would attack a NATO country. "Now this seems funny, that Brussels then sends a message to all European families to keep enough food with them for 72 hours, but if you look behind it, you are rather horrified to see what is on these people's minds. Are they preparing for something?" he asked. The prime minister added that if someone is making war preparations, that means they are preparing for war actions. Brussels wants to continue the current war by supporting Ukraine, according to Orbán and the the emergency kits proposal is preparation for a deeper involvement in the war, he said. Orbán recalled that Hungary did not deliver any weapons to Ukraine and will not send any troops in the future. The strategy unveiled on Wednesday by the European Commission includes a list of 30 concrete actions it says EU member states need to take to boost their preparedness against potential future crises ranging from natural disasters and industrial accidents to attacks by malicious actors in the cyber or military domains.
Euronews
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Europe prepares for attacks on power grid while battling soaring energy prices
ADVERTISEMENT The European Commission wants to drive down Europe's energy costs, but it must do so while stimulating massive investment into an ageing electricity transmission and distribution grid – and, increasingly, reducing vulnerability to external attacks. The EU has already pinpointed electrification as a key route to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, especially oil and gas from Russia, but EU officials speaking at an event hosted by Poland's permanent representation in Brussels this week pointed to a more direct threat. Energy infrastructure is always a key target in war, and Ukrainian infrastructure has been under constant bombardment since Russia invaded in February 2022 – but the sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic has recently laid bare the vulnerability of the EU's own power network. Related Sweden investigates new underwater cable damage in Baltic Sea 'These threats, they are now…becoming closer to us, and we really need to pay attention to how to increase security and resilience of the infrastructure,' said Asta Sihvonen-Punkka, vice-president of the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E), at the policy forum on Wednesday (26 March). Sihvonen-Punkka also pointed to the problem of access to cable and components needed to repair damaged energy infrastructure, with slow supply chains and long lead times. 'We have spare now to fix the damaged cable – but then to order more of the cable, the lead time is about seven years. this is really too long,' she said. 'So I think that we are really vulnerable in this respect.' As the CEO of Finland's national transmission grid operator was speaking, the European Commission published a broader Preparedness Union Strategy, one of whose proposals is that the EU 'incorporate the lessons from the invasion of Ukraine' in its own energy security strategy. Related Brussels asks EU citizens to put together a 72-hour emergency kit to face crises Before that, a stockpiling strategy will be drawn up before the end of the year, to include critical raw materials and components and technologies needed to maintain energy security. The director of the EU's regulatory agency for energy, Christian Zinglersen, said it would be more efficient to standardise the type of components and equipment used across Europe, but warned that building 'more slack and redundancy' into the system – suggesting overcapacity or back-up infrastructure – would entail substantial costs. 'But we are also, in many jurisdictions, moving three, four or five percent of GDP into security and defence – so why should this be radically different,' Zinglersen asked. The price problem The EU's fiendishly complicated electricity market has been blamed for massive price spikes, as well as failing to drive investment in the power grid, especially cross-border high power transmission lines, as EU officials also acknowledged during the discussion. 'We can note as a fact we need more investments,' EU director-general for energy Ditte Juul-Jorgensen said. 'Investments have been too slow, rollout of grids and infrastructure has been too slow,' she said. Moreover, the EU's 'bottom-up' planning system, which operates on a rolling ten-year cycle, 'simply does not capture all the infrastructure and the cross-border interconnectors that are needed', Juul-Jorgensen said, pointing to 'dramatic price peaks' seen across south-eastern Europe last year. She was referring to market turbulence that prompted Greek premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis to write to Commission president Ursula von der Leyen last September over a situation that saw prices approach €1,000 per megawatt hour in Hungary while neighbouring Austria was paying just €61, with the chaos cascading through the system – this in what is supposed to be an EU-wide single market. 'Politically unacceptable' Mitsotakis blamed a system 'so complex and opaque that is virtually impossible to understand precisely what is driving prices at any given point and time' and said it was 'politically unacceptable' that his government was unable to explain to its citizens why prices were soaring. ADVERTISEMENT Under the aegis of the 'affordable energy action plan' unveiled last month by energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen, the EU executive is due to present before the summer a plan to harmonise network tariffs across Europe, backed up if necessary by legislation. Data from the Commission's statistics office Eurostat show massive variations in the portion of electricity bills that cover network costs, from near-zero in Luxembourg to over 30% in Germany, Hungary and others. In an action plan released in late 2023, the EU executive foresaw a need for €584bn in investment in the remainder of this decade alone to modernise the grid in line with various targets for deployment of renewable energy and electrification of areas such as heating and transport that rely overwhelmingly on fossil fuels. The Commission is slated to table a more comprehensive 'grids package' early next year, which should be in line with a target to increase the economy-wide electrification rate (the share of electricity in Europe's overall energy consumption) from 21.3% today to 32% in 2030. ADVERTISEMENT The European Court of Auditors is scheduled to publish next week a report into the state of Europe's 11.3 million-kilometres power grid, and the effectiveness of EU support to date in maintaining and upgrading it.
