Verbatim report of proceedings

Tuesday, 18 January 2011 - Strasbourg

Explanations of vote

Text tabled : A7-0375/2010

  Maria do Céu Patrão Neves (PPE), in writing. – (PT) The European Union, through the Commission and the Member States, is the world’s largest provider of humanitarian and development aid. Its contribution represents more than 40% of all official international humanitarian assistance. A rigorous mid-term review of the implementation of the European Consensus on humanitarian aid can only conclude that it is necessary to encourage greater awareness of this mechanism, and greater coordination and efficiency among all the entities involved. Economic contributions alone can be fruitless if they are not accompanied by close and effective coordination at all stages and for all forms of EU aid. We are living in a critical time: the humanitarian situation has changed profoundly over recent years, making it all the more important that the Humanitarian Consensus be applied rigorously and energetically. I am voting in favour of this report, and I would like to call for a policy of systematic dialogue, greater cooperation on the ground, better management and a commitment to preventing disasters. I support the creation of a European civil protection force, following the Barnier report published in May 2006.