Council Decision of 24 June 2014 on the arrangements for the implementation by the Union of the solidarity clause (2014/415/EU)

Article 5 U.K. Response arrangements at Union level

1. Once the solidarity clause has been invoked, the Council shall ensure the political and strategic direction of the Union response to the invocation of the solidarity clause, taking full account of the Commission's and the HR's competences. To that end, the Presidency of the Council shall activate the IPCR arrangements immediately if not already in use, and thus inform all Member States of the solidarity clause invocation.

2. At the same time, and in accordance with Article 1(3), the Commission and the HR shall:

(a) identify all relevant Union instruments that can best contribute to the response to the crisis, including sector-specific, operational, policy or financial instruments and structures and take all necessary measures provided under those instruments;

(b) identify military capabilities that can best contribute to the response to the crisis with the support of the EU Military Staff;

(c) identify and propose the use of instruments and resources falling within the remit of Union agencies that can best contribute to the response to the crisis;

(d) advise the Council on whether existing instruments are sufficient means to assist the affected Member State following the invocation of the solidarity clause;

(e) produce regular integrated situational awareness and analysis reports to inform and support the coordination and decision-making at political level in the Council, in accordance with Article 6 of this Decision.

3. Where appropriate, and in accordance with Article 1(3), the Commission and the HR shall submit proposals to the Council, in particular concerning:

(a) decisions on exceptional measures not foreseen by existing instruments;

(b) requests for military capabilities going beyond the existing arrangements on civil protection; or

(c) measures in support of a swift response by Member States.

4. Making use of the IPCR arrangements, the Presidency of the Council shall ensure coherence of the handling in the Council and of the overall response at Union political level, including as concerns the development and update of proposals for action, while respecting the right of initiative of the Commission and HR within their areas of competence. In doing so, the Presidency shall be supported and advised by the GSC, the Commission and the EEAS, and, in the event of terrorist attacks, by the EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator. Depending on the crisis, structures and Union agencies in the field of CFSP/CSDP shall provide, as appropriate, contributions in line with the relevant provisions of Union law.

5. The Presidency of the Council will inform the President of the European Council and the President of the European Parliament of the invocation of the solidarity clause and of any major developments.

6. Upon invocation of the solidarity clause, the ERCC shall act as the central 24/7 contact point at Union level with Member States' competent authorities and other stakeholders, without prejudice to existing responsibilities within the Commission and the HR and to existing information networks. The ERCC will facilitate the production of Integrated Situational Awareness and Analysis (ISAA) reports, in collaboration with the EU Situation Room and other Union crisis centres, in accordance with Article 6 of this Decision.