News
Releases
No. 80/05
September 20, 2005
EU STATEMENT ON US INITIATIVE ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
"The Member States of the European Union and the European Commission
recognize the potential threat to human and animal health posed by the
avian influenza virus circulating in Asia and therefore share the concern
of the US and other partners to ensure effective preventive measures and
preparedness plans are in place.
"The EU will continue to work in close co-operation and co-ordination with
the relevant coordinating multilateral organizations, in particular FAO
[Food & Agriculture Organization],
OIE [World Organization for Animal Health] and WHO [World Health
Organization].
"The EU shares the aims of the US initiative and is keen to co-operate
closely in order to ensure that effective and appropriate global
preparedness and prevention measures are in place. In doing so, it will be
essential to ensure that our work supports, contributes to and does not
undermine existing multilateral institutions and processes that are
working well to address the threat of avian and pandemic influenza.
"The EU looks forward to working with the US and other partners to identify
the best way forward to achieve the aims of this initiative."
Further Contact Information
Press and Media Relations
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
