Today the European Parliament in Strasbourg unanimously approved the report by Nikolaos Vakalis (European People's Party, Greece) on the regional impact of earthquakes. A co-rapporteur on behalf of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe was the Bulgarian MEP Filiz Hyusmenova.

She suggested four amendments to the text, insisting on increased prevention through information campaigns, in order to have the EU citizens informed and trained about the risks from earthquakes and ways of recovering from the damages they incur.
Ms. Hyusmenova requested that the research in the field of prevention and minimizing of damages in earthquake regions be expedited in the Member States, and be combined with better crisis management. The Committee on Regional Development also supported the other amendment suggested by the Bulgarian MEP, and namely “to complete without delay the codecision procedure for the adoption of the new European Union Solidarity Fund regulation, given that the European Parliament already expressed its views in the position it adopted in May 2006 on time-limits and eligible actions, so as to enable the new Solidarity Fund to help repair damage in an effective, flexible and timely manner, including simplifying the existing financial procedure in the event of earthquakes.”
‘My experience as a former minister of natural disasters and accidents has taught me that one’s efforts should be directed towards foreseeing and managing the crises caused by natural disasters,’ said Filiz Hyusmenova. ‘The earthquakes are ranked first among the cataclysms, and the damages and victims they leave behind exceed by 35% the ones resulting from floods and tropical cyclones. Moreover, the Balkan Peninsula is ranked second in the world in seismic activity after the Pacific Belt. Therefore, the probability of natural disasters should be accurately reflected in the regional policy of the Community and in the Member States, and should be taken into account when planning the sustainable development of the regions.
The report on the regional impact of earthquakes was adopted following a general vote at the European Parliament plenary session this afternoon, as submitted and amended by the Committee on Regional Development.