When national capacities to respond to forest fires are surpassed, other EU countries often show solidarity by sending assistance in the form of water bombing aircraft, helicopters, fire-fighting equipment and personnel.

The Franco-British Intergovernmental Commission, which is the specific safety authority for the Channel Tunnel under EU law, requested the European Railway Agency, which oversees application of European rail safety standards, to issue a technical opinion on the advisability of modifying existing Channel Tunnel safety rules which prohibit trains with electric motors situated under the carriage floors (distributed power) to use the tunnel and prescribe a specific train length to facilitate evacuation in case of fire.

However, they want to relax the rules on rest periods with a view to keeping the traditional work pattern of 24-hour shifts, which is considered to suit the particular needs of the fire services, subject to further exploration of any health and safety effects.

This essential requirement is satisfied by the functional and technical specifications in sections 4.2.2.3 Fire protection requirements for structures 4.2.2.4 Fire safety requirements for building material and 4.2.5.1 Material properties for rolling stock

implement in full all Security Council resolutions addressing the issue of terrorism, ensuring respect for the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law; strive to achieve the ratification and implementation of all 13 UN Counter-Terrorism Conventions; welcome the work on the development of the UNSG’s strategy in the fight against terrorism and co-operate with UN anti terrorism bodies; encourage the full implementation of the standards established by the Financial Action Task Force; exchange information on a voluntary basis on terrorists and their support networks, in accordance with international and national law; work bilaterally and in accordance with national legislation to develop our effec ...[+++]tive and operational co-operation to disrupt networks and bring individuals involved in terrorist acts to justice; refuse asylum to terrorists and deny them safe haven in accordance with international law; share expertise and best practices on countering terrorism on a voluntary basis, including through technical assistance; ensure respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism in accordance with international law; Consider convening a high level conference under the auspices of the UN to formulate an international response to terrorism in all its aspects and manifestations, following agreement on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism.

The environment is a key area in these negotiations for the future members (g) DG XI stepped up its work in many areas, such as: - nuclear safety in Eastern Europe; the Commission provides the secretariat for the G24 Group (see Memo 94 ...); - coordination in the field of civil protection, e.g. the combating of forest fires; - examination of a large number of complaints about failure to comply with Community legislation; - lastly, following its inaugural meeting (see Memo 59/93), the Environment Agency will set about implementing a work programme in the course of 1994.