1. BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0 Seminar on Strengthening Co-operation with Candidate Countries and Western Balkan Countries in the Field of Civil Protection 24–26 February 2008, Bled/SLO The Austrian Approach

2. BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0 Building road-maps Traditional close bilateral and regional co-operation AT-WB in JH-Affairs (Salzburg-Groupe, Brdo-Process) 01.01.08: Milestone for strengthening co-operation with EU and WB  Entry into force of visa facilitation and readmission agreements with AL, BIH, RS, ME, FYROM Cooperation in the field of civil protection  Another crucial step towards integration into EU AT fully supports Presidency initiative

3. BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0 Co-operation AT - WB Bilateral disaster relief agreements between AT - WB –CRO (2006) –FYROM: under negotiation –AL: under negotiation Agreement = Basis for reinforced co-operation in the field of prevention and response

4. BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0 Bilateral Agreements Designation of POC’s Facilitation of border crossing for relief teams Facilitation of import & export of relief goods and equipment Rules on indemnity & reimbursement Exchange of information Mutual trainings Mutual exercises

5. BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0 Fields of Reinforced Co-operation Long-term: EU accession Medium-term: Accession to Mechanism (Art 10 Recast) Short-term:  speak a common language - Participation in seminars, WS, training programmes, exchange of experts programme  convey best practices, “EU-standards”  ensure interoperability of systems & resources (C2, fire service, modules, risk assessment etc.)  the “Bled-Initiative”?

6. BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR INNERES, 1014 WIEN, HERRENGASSE 7, TEL.: +43 - (0)1 - 531 26 - 0 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!