Funded by the European Union
Within the framework of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Initiative, the ninth Round-Table Meeting of National Focal Points for South East Europe, Southern Caucasus, Moldova and Ukraine kicked off today at the Premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration in Chisinau, Moldova. It is scheduled to run for three days, from 10-12 March 2015.
The meeting, which brings together National Focal Points and experts from the region as well as international experts from the EU and International Organizations, was opened by Mr. Victor Pereteatcu, Moldovan National Focal Point, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration; Ms. Guiomar Payo, Project Manager, European Commission, DG International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO); Mr. Givi Amiranashvili, Head of Regional Secretariat for South East Europe, Southern Caucasus, Moldova and Ukraine; and, Mr. Francesco Miorin, Regional Coordinator, UNICRI.
The Ninth Round-Table Meeting provides an opportunity to evaluate projects completed in the region in the last two years while also looking to identify regional priorities that will guide the elaboration of future project proposals over the coming years. In particular, a new regional project on CBRN incident response which commenced in January 2015 will be discussed. The meeting will further facilitate the review of the draft Regional Secretariat Strategy for 2015-2016 with the partner countries. Lastly, the third day of the meeting has been set aside for experts from partner countries to review a regional project proposal on CBRN forensics, in advance of seeking funding for its implementation.
The broad range of ongoing and future activities on the agenda for the Ninth Round-Table Meeting for South East Europe, Southern Caucasus, Moldova and Ukraine demonstrates the importance of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative to the region and the continued commitment of the partner countries to the strengthening of cooperation for the mitigation of CBRN risks.
The EU CBRN CoE Risk Mitigation Initiative is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC). The initiative is developed with the technical support of relevant international and regional organizations, the EU Member States and other stakeholders, through coherent and effective cooperation at the national, regional and international level. The initiative involves 49 countries in 8 regions of the world.
For more information:
- CBRN Centres of Excellence website: http://www.cbrn-coe.eu/
- European Commission, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace website (see section about "Stable Situations"):http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/node/7350