Olwyn Enright
Question:122 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the operational procedures of the EU Rapid Reaction Fund. [21533/02]
Written Answers. - EU Defence Policy.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the rapid reaction mechanism established under Council Regulation No. 381/2001 of 26 February 2001. As is stated in article 1 of the regulation, the mechan ism is designed to allow the community to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to situations of urgency or crisis or to the emergence of crisis. It operates from a designated list of existing Community instruments and enhances the EUs civilian crisis management capacity by allowing resources to be released more quickly than would otherwise be possible.
The instruments in question seek to alleviate crises through, inter alia, election monitoring, institution building, humanitarian missions, police training and the provision of police equipment, civil emergency assistance, rehabilitation, and mediation. The mechanism operates primarily under the auspices of the European Commission and the specified implementation period for activities within its remit is six months.
Since its inception, the rapid reaction mechanism has so far contributed to overall EU responses to crises in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as allowing several Commission-led conflict prevention assessment missions to take place. The mechanism has proved very worthwhile and I support its continued use as required throughout the period ahead.
Question No. 123 answered with Question No. 100.
Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 74.