Resolution of the Committee of the Regions on the year 2000 problem

(1999/C 293/15)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

whereas local and regional authorities are often responsible for public services in sectors that may be affected by the Millennium Bug, like hospitals, public utilities, traffic infrastructure;

whereas these sectors are often interdependent and interlinked in cross-border infrastructure networks, so that a high degree of cooperation is required;

whereas the European Commission in its latest report expresses its particular concern over the lack of readiness of local and regional authorities;

whereas there are great differences between Member States and sectors in the degree of awareness and the state of preparations; the disclosure and exchange of information is not sufficient and much double work is done in the different Member States;

whereas awareness raising at all levels is of the utmost importance and access to information and the exchange of good practice is crucial at this point in time;

whereas the effects of the Millennium Bug are unknown at this stage, and it is not excluded that its consequences will be comparable to those of a natural disaster, which will entail high costs for public authorities at all levels;

whereas the Millennium Bug is not only a technical problem but is also a question of political responsibility;

stresses the urgency of the problem, in particular in local and regional authorities;

urges the national, regional and local authorities to appreciate the problem and step up the preparations, making use as much as possible of the experience acquired by other local and regional authorities;

demands that the COR, as the representative of local and regional authorities, be involved in any EU activities, working groups or information campaigns;

asks the European Commission to facilitate the exchange of information and good practice, and make the information available in all official EU languages;

requests the European Commission to inform the COR of the situation as regards the safety of nuclear stations in non-EU countries;

points out that the financial and legal consequences must be investigated, like liability, damage claims, or damage payments comparable to those for natural disasters,

instructs its President to forward this resolution to the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council, and the parliaments of the Member States.

Brussels, 3 June 1999.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Manfred DAMMEYER