Date of release : 04-01-2004

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : Extraordinary meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council

In preparation for the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 7 January, the Minister for Health, Mars di Bartolomeo, continued his series of contacts with WHO and in particular with Mr Nabarro, the senior health coordinator. This process is being carried out in close cooperation with the European Commission’s staff.

Both representatives reaffirmed the essential role that WHO plays in coordinating relief aid and assistance to the local authorities in the area of health. No epidemics have been discovered in the region. Nevertheless, an early-warning system has been set up to detect epidemics.

At the Council meeting next Friday, Mr Nabarro, who will be in Brussels before leaving for the disaster-stricken regions, will report to the ministers of the 25 nations on the health needs of the affected countries and on possible action from the European Union and its Member States to support WHO.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Nicolas Schmit consulted with European Parliament officials about EU funding for relief aid. Together with the Commission, the aim of the consultations was to prepare for the extraordinary meeting of the General Affairs Council as well as the donors’ meeting in Geneva on 11 January.