ΑΛΛΗΛΕΓΓΥΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΕ: ΕΞΕΛΙΞΕΙΣ ΣΤΟ ΠΕΔΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΥΓΙΚΗΣ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΚΛΗΣΕΙΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΕ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ

234 ANNEX I (15) Given the urgency of the support needed, this Regulation should enter into force immediately, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Subject matter and scope 1. This Regulation lays down the framework within which Union emergency support may be awarded through specific measures appropriate to the economic situation in the event of an ongoing or potential natural or man-made disaster. Such emer- gency support can only be provided where the exceptional scale and impact of the disaster is such that it gives rises to severe wide-ranging humanitarian consequenc- es in one or more Member States and only in exceptional circumstances where no other instrument available to Member States and to the Union is sufficient. 2. Emergency support provided under this Regulation shall be in support of, and complementary to, the actions of the affected Member State. To this end, close cooperation and consultation with the affected Member State shall be ensured. Article 2 Activation of the emergency support 1. The decision about the activation of the emergency support under this Regula- tion in case of an ongoing or potential disaster shall be taken by the Council on the basis of a proposal by the Commission, specifying where appropriate the duration of the activation. 2. The Council shall immediately examine the proposal of the Commission re- ferred to in paragraph 1 and shall decide, in accordance with the urgency of the situation, on the activation of the emergency support. Article 3 Eligible actions 1. Emergency support under this Regulation shall provide a needs-based emergen- cy response, complementing the response of the affected Member States, aimed at preserving life, preventing and alleviating human suffering, and maintaining human dignity wherever the need arises as a result of a disaster referred to in Ar- ticle 1. 2. Emergency support, as referred to in paragraph 1, may include any of the hu- manitarian aid actions which would be eligible for Union financing pursuant to Ar- ticles 2, 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1257/96, and may consequently encompass