10.3.2007 Official Journal of the European Union L 71/9 II (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 5 March 2007 establishing a Civil Protection Financial Instrument (Text with EEA relevance) (2007/162/EC, Euratom) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, (4) Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 308 thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 203 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Whereas: (1) Under Article 3(1)(u) of the EC Treaty, the activities of the Community are to include measures in the sphere of civil protection. (2)  To that effect, a Community mechanism to facilitate reinforced cooperation in civil protection assistance inter- ventions (the Mechanism) was established by Decision 2001/792/EC, Euratom (3). (3)  Council Decision 1999/847/EC of 9 December 1999 %) establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection () expired on 31 December 2006. () O] C 291 E, 30.11.2006, p. 104. () O] L 297, 15.11.2001, p. 7. () O] L 327, 21.12.1999, p. 53. Decision as amended by Decision 2005/12/EC (O] L 6, 8.1.2005, p. 7). It is necessary to establish a civil protection financial instrument (the Instrument) under which financial assistance may be given, both as a contribution to improving the effectiveness of response to major emer- gencies, in particular in the context of Decision 2001/792[EC, Euratom, and to enhancing preventive and preparedness measures for all kinds of emergencies such as natural and man-made disasters, acts of terrorism including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism, and technological, radiological or environ- mental accidents, including the continuation of measures that were previously taken under Decision 1999/847|EC. In order to ensure continuity with Decision 1999/847[EC, this Decision should apply from 1 January 2007. The Instrument will ensure the visible expression of European solidarity towards countries affected by major emergencies by facilitating the provision of assistance through mobilisation of Member States’ intervention assets. The isolated and outermost regions and some other regions or islands of the Community often have special characteristics and needs owing to their geography, terrain, and social and economic circumstances. These have adverse effects, hamper the deployment of assistance and intervention resources making it difficult to deliver aid and means of assistance, and create particular needs for assistance in the event of serious risk of a major emergency.