EU's efforts to help Japan (updated 25 March)

At the spring summit on 24-25 March, EU leaders repeated their sympathy for and solidarity with the Japanese people. The EU stands ready to support the country in overcoming the tragic consequences of the earthquake and the tsunami. In response to a request from the Japanese government, relief supplies are being mobilised. "As true friends of Japan, we restate the strategic importance of the EU-Japan relationship," said Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council.

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EU leaders declared the nuclear issue a top priority and stressed the need to learn the lessons from the nuclear accident. They decided that the safety of EU nuclear plants should be reviewed in risk and safety assessments, the so-called "stress tests". The Commission will ensure that the arrangements for the tests are defined, and the tests carried out, as soon as possible.

Nuclear particles know no borders. For that reason, neighbouring countries should be encouraged to conduct similar stress tests. "A worldwide review of nuclear plants would be best," said Herman Van Rompuy.

On 24 March Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, left for Japan. In Tokyo, she is to discuss the ongoing relief operations with the Japanese authorities and aid providers and will oversee the logistics of European assistance that is being delivered.

In order to further limit possible risks to the safety of its food chain, on 24 March the EU decided to reinforce controls on imports of food and feed from certain regions of Japan. All products from the regions most affected by the situation will have to be tested before leaving Japan and will be subject to random testing in the EU. Feed and food from the other regions from Japan will be randomly tested upon arrival in the EU. The monitoring and checking of imports are the responsibility of member states which have to inform other member states in case a contaminated product is found.

On 23 March the EU sent to Japan 70 tonnes of relief items offered by its member states through EU Civil Protection Mechanism. 17 EU countries, members of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, have offered in-kind or financial assistance to help Japan's substantial relief operation. A European Civil Protection team, including experts in transport, logistics and radiological matters, has been deployed on the ground since 18 March.

On 21 March, after the Energy Council meeting, the Hungarian Presidency declared that the priority is to provide Japan and Libya with humanitarian as well as technical assistance.

On 17 March the Hungarian Presidency had convened an extraordinary Energy Council meeting to address recent international developments (in particular situation in Japan and in North Africa) and their impact on the world energy markets and the EU energy sector. The Council will also exchange views on the response at EU and member states' level.

To ensure the safety of products imported from Japan, the Commission has recommended that products from Japan should be analysed for radioactivity. This concerns feed and food from plant (e.g. tea, seaweeds) and animal (fishery) products imported from 15 March onwards.

On 14 March, at the meeting of G8 foreign ministers in Paris, High Representative Catherine Ashton met with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto. On behalf of the EU she expressed sympathy for and solidarity with the Japanese people. The High Representative repeated the EU's offer of support.

Civil protection assistance

On 14 March the EU Delegation in Tokyo was reinforced with the addition of a liaison officer, whose task is to establish direct contacts with the Japanese authorities.

An EU Civil Protection Assessment and Coordination Team of 10 experts is ready to leave to coordinate the upcoming assistance on the ground. The experts will be supported by a Technical Assistance and Support Team (TAST).

The EU Situation Centre has activated its consular online webpage to exchange information on EU citizens who might be affected by the situation in the region.

As concerns the situation in Japan's nuclear power plants, the EU Commission is regularly receiving information from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

On 12 March a humanitarian expert from the Commission was dispatched to join the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) mission in Japan.

More information:
Commission press release of 25 March