Reinforcing civilian crisis management capacity in the EU

Meeting in Vienna today, the Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel and Commission President José Manuel Barroso agreed to give a mandate to former Commissioner and French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier to draw up a report on ways of further developing the EU's civilian crisis management capacity in third countries, including consular assistance.

President Barroso stated: "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Barnier. This is an important result of today's joint meeting. The EU is greatly sollicited for civilian crisis management - we already have a lot to offer but there is huge potential to build on existing policies in an area with direct resonance with Europe's citizens. Everyone stands to gain from intensified EU cooperation in this field."

He added: "Michel Barnier's background eminently qualifies him, through his European and national experience, to come up with creative ways of improving the EU's capacity to deal with civilian crisis management."

Mr Barnier will submit his report to the Presidency and to the Commission before the end of the Austrian Presidency on 30 June 2006. He will act as special adviser to the Commission.

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