On November 12-13 Brussels hosted the world conference “From providential alarm to providential action: developing EU response to crisis and long-term threats”, organized by the General Direction for External Relations of the Commission to discuss latest progress at Community level in the sector of conflict prevention in the various areas of the world, from regional and international crises management to crises preparation. Over 800 delegates participated in the two-day event representing National Governments, NGOs, International Organizations, think tanks and the media. According to the EU commissioner Benita Ferrero Waldner the meeting was an opportunity to “establish in which way the Union could more efficiently handle crises and conflicts, through the new “Stability Tool” which enables a flexible and fast reaction as well as a broader frame of action”. During the meeting a series of good practice situations were illustrated (such as the recent training and equipping activity of 850 police officers in Chad). These actions are part in the EU’s improved capacity to handle long-term trans-regional threats”.
