European Parliament
Oldřich Vlasák (PPE-DE ).
(CS)
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased that we are discussing the coordination of solutions to natural disasters and cooperation on such matters. I am naturally happy that the report proposes an information and education campaign and the prevention of such events. I am sure that help will be targeted mainly at areas of high risk, and that it is necessary to protect the environment and safeguard natural resources. I am convinced that such cooperation should be on a voluntary basis, and I am in favour of individual countries endeavouring to make major improvements to the coordination and communication of information. However, I strongly believe that contributions to individual agencies and to the setting up of European units should be made on a voluntary basis and should not be mandatory. Consequently, I did not support the adoption of point 31 and I abstained from the vote on this report.

