6.11.2007 Official Journal of the European Union L 28827 DIRECTIVES DIRECTIVE 2007/60/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: Floods have the potential to cause fatalities, displacement of people and damage to the environment, to severely compromise economic development and to undermine the economic activities of the Community. Floods are natural phenomena which cannot be prevented. However, some human activities (such as increasing human settlements and economic assets in floodplains and the reduction of the natural water retention by land use) and climate change contribute to an increase in the likelihood and adverse impacts of flood events. It is feasible and desirable to reduce the risk of adverse consequences, especially for human health and life, the environment, cultural heritage, economic activity and infrastructure associated with floods. However, measures to reduce these risks should, as far as possible, be () O] C 195, 18.8.2006, p. 37. (%) Opinion of the European Parliament of 13 June 2006 (O] C 300 E, 9.12.2006, p. 123). Council Common Position of 23 November 2006 (O] C 311 E, 19.12.2006, p. 10) and Position of the European Parliament of 25 April 2007. Council Decision of 18 September 2007. coordinated throughout a river basin if they are to be effective. Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy () requires river basin management plans to be developed for each river basin district in order to achieve good ecological and chemical status, and it will contribute to mitigating the effects of floods. However, reducing the risk of floods is not one of the principal objectives of that Directive, nor does it take into account the future changes in the risk of flooding as a result of climate change. The Commission Communication of 12 July 2004 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ‘Flood risk management — Flood prevention, protection and mitigation’ sets out its analysis and approach to managing flood risks at Community level, and states that concerted and coor- dinated action at Community level would bring consid- erable added value and improve the overall level of flood protection. Effective flood prevention and mitigation requires, in addition to coordination between Member States, coop- eration with third countries. This is in line with Directive 2000/60/EC and international principles of flood risk management as developed notably under the United Nations Convention on the protection and use of trans- boundary water courses and international lakes, approved by Council Decision 95/308/EC (*), and any succeeding agreements on its application. Council Decision 2001/792/EC, Euratom of 23 October 2001 establishing a Community mechanism to facilitate reinforced cooperation in civil protection assistance inter- ventions (°) mobilises support and assistance from Member States in the event of major emergencies, including floods. Civil protection can provide adequate response to affected populations and improve prepa- redness and resilience. () O] L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1. Directive as amended by Decision No 2455/2001/EC (O] L 331, 15.12.2001, p. 1). () O] L 186, 5.8.1995, p. 42. () O] L 297, 15.11.2001, p. 7.