Greece proposes to create a corps of European volunteers

(BRUSSELS2) Greece has proposed to its European partners to create a European corps of volunteers in the face of disasters. An idea that had already been "in the air" for several years. But now, with the earthquake in Haiti, it seems that the European Union is more determined to act (1). It was formally taken over by the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister. Dimitrios Droutsas detailed the objectives, during the last Council of Ministers, the January 25.

This proposal aims to strengthen the EU's available response to the needs of vulnerable populations and to mitigate the consequences of economic instability, underdevelopment and poverty...” he explained. It would also strengthen - " particularly in the younger generation, the sense of belonging to a community of European values ​​and of promoting the ideal of solidarity, and of enhancing the visibility of the EU as a positive force helping those in need ". These volunteers could deploy inside the EU or in third countries ", in actions "ofhumanitarian aid, protection of the environment or climate change, education and civil protection”. The objective is to make it operational from 2011 (which has been proclaimed European Year of Volunteering) underlined the Greek Minister.

(1) To be continued"the first project of the Barroso II Commission"