L 347/924 Official Journal of the European Union 20.12.2013 DECISION No 1313/2013/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 December 2013 on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 196 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (1), Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, Whereas: (1)  In view of the significant increase in the numbers and severity of natural and man-made disasters in recent years and in a situation where future disasters will be more extreme and more complex with far-reaching and longer-term consequences as a result, in particular, of climate change and the potential interaction between several natural and technological hazards, an integrated approach to disaster management is increasingly important. The European Union should promote soli- darity and should support, complement, and facilitate the coordination of Member States’ actions in the field of civil protection with a view to improving the effec- tiveness of systems for preventing, preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters. ) A Community Civil Protection Mechanism was estab- lished by Council Decision 2001/792[EC, Euratom (%), recast by Council Decision 2007/779/EC, Euratom (3). The financing of that Mechanism has been ensured by Council Decision 2007/162[EC, Euratom (*) which estab- lished a Civil Protection Financial Instrument ("the Financial Instrument"). It provides for Union financial () O] C 277, 13.9.2012, p. 164. (%) Council Decision 2001/792/EC, Euratom of 23 October 2001 estab- lishing a Community mechanism to facilitate reinforced cooperation in civil protection assistance interventions (O] L 297, 15.11.2001, 7). G }éouncil Decision 2007/779/EC, Euratom of 8 November 2007 establishing a Community Civil Protection Mechanism (O] L 314, 1.12.2007, p. 9). (*) Council Decision 2007/162[EC, Euratom of 5 March 2007 estab- lishing a Civil Protection Financial Instrument (O] L 71, 10.3.2007, p- 9). assistance to be given, both as a contribution to improving the effectiveness of the response to major emergencies and to enhancing preventive and preparedness measures for all kinds of emergencies, including the continuation of measures that were previously  taken under Council Decision 1999/847[EC (°). The Financial Instrument expires on 31 December 2013. (3)  The protection to be ensured under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism ('the Union Mechanism") should cover primarily people, but also the environment and property, including cultural heritage, against all kinds of natural and man-made disasters, including environmental disasters, marine pollution and acute health emergencies, occurring inside or outside the Union. Civil protection and other emergency assistance under the Union Mechanism may be required in all of those disasters to complement the response capabilities of the affected country. As regards disasters caused by acts of terrorism, nuclear or radiological accidents, the Union Mechanism should cover only the preparedness and response actions within the field of civil protection. (4 The Union Mechanism should also contribute to the implementation of Article 222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), by making available its resources and capabilities as necessary. (5)  The Union Mechanism constitutes a visible expression of European solidarity by ensuring a practical and timely contribution to prevention of and preparedness for disasters and the response to disasters and imminent disasters without prejudice to the relevant guiding prin- ciples and arrangements in the field of civil protection. This Decision should therefore not affect the reciprocal rights and obligations of the Member States under bilateral or multilateral treaties, which relate to the matters covered by this Decision, nor Member States’ responsibility to protect people, the environment, and property on their territory. (6)  The Union Mechanism should take due account of relevant Union law and international commitments, and exploit synergies with relevant Union initiatives, such as the European Earth Observation Programme (Coper- nicus), the European Programme for Critical Infra- structure  Protection (EPCIP) and the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE). (’) Council Decision 1999/847[EC of 9 December 1999 establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (O] L 327, 21.12.1999, p. 53).