L 8/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 14.1.98 COUNCIL DECISION of 19 December 1997 establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (98/22/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (*), Whereas the action taken by the Community in this field since 1985 has made it possible progressively to develop cooperation between the Member States; whereas the resolutions adopted since 1987 (°) constitute the basis for this cooperation; Whereas Community cooperation in the field of civil protection helps to achieve the objectives of the Treaty by promoting solidarity among Member States, raising the quality of life and contributing to preserving and protecting the environment; Whereas the Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development (%) presented by the Commission envisages that the Community’s activity will be stepped up in the fields of civil protection and environmental emergencies; Whereas the establishment of a Community action programme providing support measures will help to develop cooperation in this field even more effectively; whereas such a programme should be based to a large extent on experience already gained in this field; Whereas action to prepare those responsible for, and involved in, civil protection in the Member States is important in order to increase their degree of prepared- ness; Whereas it is also important to undertake action targeted at the general public so as to help European citizens to protect themselves more effectively; Whereas the Permanent Network of National Corres- pondents on Civil Protection will continue to play an active role for matters relating to civil protection; () OJ C 142, 8. 6. 1995, p. 19 and OJ C 202, 12. 7. 1996, p. 9. () OJ C 141, 13. 5. 1996, p. 258. () OJ C 301, 13. 11. 1995, p. 3. () OJ C 100, 2. 4. 199, p. 111. ) OJ C 176, 4. 7. 1987, p. 1; OJ C 44, 23. 2. 1989, p. 3; OJ C 315, 14. 12. 1990, p. 1; OJ C 315, 14. 12. 1990, p. 3; O] C 198, 27. 7. 1991, p. 1; OJ C 313, 10. 11. 1994, p. 1. () OJ C 138, 17. 5. 1993, p. 5. Whereas a Committee of Member States’ representatives will be established to assist the Commission in the implementation of this Decision; Whereas, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, Community cooperation supports and supplements national policies in the field of civil protection in order to make them more effective; whereas pooling of experi- ence and mutual assistance will help to reduce the loss of human life, injuries and economic and environmental damage throughout the Community; Whereas it is appropriate to pay particular attention to the outermost or isolated regions of the Community, because of their characteristics; Whereas the programme should not last for more than two years (1998, 1999); Whereas a financial reference amount, within the meaning of point 2 of the Declaration by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6 March 1995, is included in this Decision for the entire duration of the programme, without thereby affecting the powers of the budgetary authority as they are defined by the Treaty; Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the adoption of this Decision, powers other than those of Article 235, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 A Community action programme (hereinafter called ‘the programme’) in the field of civil protection is hereby established in order to contribute to the protection of persons, environment and property in the event of a natural or technological disaster, without prejudice to the internal division of competences in Member States. The programme is intended to support and supplement Member States’ efforts within the framework of their action on national, regional and local levels in matters of civil protection, as well as to facilitate cooperation between Member States in this field.