Examination and Possible Directions of the European Union’s Civil Protection Policy (Part I.)

Abstract

The European Community (now the Union) has faced numerous crises and disasters throughout its history. These challenges, ranging from economic downturns to natural and man-made disasters to humanitarian emergencies, have consistently driven Member States towards deeper cooperation and solidarity, typically in response to the severity of the events. Consequently, crises not only reveal the vulnerabilities and shortcomingsof existing systems but also lead to calls for closer cooperation and integration. Since the citizens of the Member States of the European Union are also EU citizens, their protection and security extend beyond national civil protection policies. This paper aims to highlight how EU civil protection policy has been, and continues to be, shaped by solidarity, rationality, and necessity to create and maintain a safer, more resilient environment.