“Today political leaders in Sweden are focusing the spotlight on the defence policy implications of the Lisbon Treaty. Current work within the EU aimed at preventing and managing large scale natural disasters, and other disasters brought about by man, is likely to be affected as least as much, and possible even more, by the coming into force of the Treaty of Lisbon,” says FOI researcher Teresa Åhman.

The Treaty of Lisbon implies that the area of Civil Protection, which has already undergone dramatic development in the last few years, will be formalised as a specific policy area for the EU and its member states.
This means that it will be important for Sweden to take early action in formulating new policy in this area and in building alliances with other member states.

“Sweden must develop a clear policy for Civil Protection in order to avoid the possibility of being ‘steam-rollered’ by the Commission or by other member states having clear ideas in this area.”

A solidarity clause has been introduced in the Lisbon Treaty which in the long term aims to foster deeper cooperation in the area of Civil Protection. Because of climate change and the increased risk of natural disasters, more attention should be given by political leaders to this cooperation within the EU.

“Natural disasters pose a greater threat to Sweden and the EU than does the possibility of military attack. Instead of focusing exclusively on the defence policy implications of the Lisbon Treaty, it is now time for political leaders to give consideration to how the already well-developed cooperation in the area of Civil Protection can be deepened further as a consequence of the Treaty,” says Teresa Åhman.

“The question of Common EU resources for the prevention and management of natural disasters is something that Sweden will need to address.”