LIZ LYNNE DELIGHT AT EU ACTION ON EURO EMERGENCY NUMBER

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Sep 2007

West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne has warmly welcomed the European Parliament's adoption of a Written Declaration requesting evaluation of the operation of the single European emergency number 112.

The number has existed for 16 years but over two-thirds of Europeans are unaware of it. In the UK just 20% know of its existence. Technical and linguistic problems mean that the intended full service has never been available in all countries, leaving travellers abroad dangerously exposed.

However the European Parliament has adopted the declaration with an historic majority (512 of 785 MEPs and still counting), which will mean that a debate will now have to take place in the European Parliament.

Speaking today from Strasbourg, Liz said:

"We should all remember that this is not about the EU forcing a new number on anyone. 999 will not change in the UK. It is about saving lives by having one number everyone can use wherever they travel across the EU."

"The natural disasters which occurred across the continent this summer, including the catastrophic floods in Central and Northern England should remind us of the importance of access to the emergency services, whether at home or abroad."

"The proposed introduction of a European day to promote awareness of the number and its services, and the evaluation of 112 services across the EU, should now proceed without delay. Action on this now will help save lives."

ENDS.

Notes to Editors:

The text of the written declaration is given below:

A written declaration needs to be signed by over half all MEPs (i.e.393) in order to (re-) launch a debate in the European Parliament on a subject within its remit.

Written declaration on the European emergency call number 112

The European Parliament,

• having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. acknowledging the importance of an efficient 112 for all citizens moving freely in the EU,

B. aware that the 112 was established in 1991 while new obligations were introduced in 2002,

C. having regard to the poor quality of services provided to citizens through the 112,

D. considering that proper implementation of the 112 concerns several EU policies (telecommunications, health, internal security and civil protection), while affecting others (transport, tourism),

E. considering that the EU needs to establish high quality, interoperable emergency telecommunications between citizens and emergency services in view of reducing suffering and the loss of human life during everyday accidents and major disasters,

1. Calls upon the Member States and the Commission to engage the necessary processes and resources for ensuring an efficient 112 service all over the EU;

2. Calls upon the Commission to evaluate by independent bodies the real state of implementation of the 112 throughout the EU, using the methodology developed in 2003;

3. Calls upon the Commission to deal with emergency telecommunications by involving all policies concerned and by building upon the example of countries who deal with this issue in new and innovative ways;

4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Council and the Commission.