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Italy Earthquake: EU says ready to provide equipment

588 views · Published 8 April 2009 · 1:44 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Euractiv · 2009 · News & Politics

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At today's Midday press briefing of the European Commission, Chief Spokesman Johannes Laitenberger said that the European Union stands ready provide equipment to quake-hit Italy if it needed. 

But so far, no request has been passed on to the European Commission which discussed the issue this morning at its regular weekly meeting. The Italian civil protection services are very well equipped, the EC Spokesperson told journalists today. 

He also indicated that the European response to the powerful earthquake in central Italy, that has killed at least 40 people, could be a re-programming of regional funds and an activation of the EU solidarity fund. We will need a more detailed picture of the situation first, but contact is already been made with the Italian authorities, he added.


Johannes Laitenberger, EC Spokesperson: as you know, we do have a coordination mechanism for practical assistance. That coordination unit has been in touch with the Italian authorities from the very beginning. We would have been able to provide equipment if they needed it. But the Italian civil protection services are very well equipped. They did not need anything so far. But if they did need assistance in practical terms they could have it. Further more, the Commission's departments are discussing with the Italian authorities what sort of action might be necessary now subsequently. Mrs Hübner in charge of the regional funds has been in touch with the Italian authorities here in Brussels and in Italy itself to look into the situation. The two main areas where we might be able to be of assistance are the possible re-programming of regional funds and we may be able to activate the EU solidarity fund. This will take a little of time. We are going to have a more detailed picture of the situation first but contact is already been made. Work is being done.

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