112 Emergency Number should be available for all - Liz Lynne

4.54.46pm GMT Tue 6th Feb 2007

Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament today welcomed the launching of a 'citizens' initiative' in the form of an electronic petition, to rejuvenate the European emergency number which was set up 15 years ago.

Originally established as a way of reinforcing European people's participation in the single market, the 112 emergency line is only known to a third of the European population. It is hoped that a more professional 112 will help Europe "get closer to the citizens".

After this morning's launch of the initiative in Brussels, Liz said:

"The 112 European emergency number has been around as an instrument for many years yet quite frankly it is disgraceful that it is not working properly. Evidence shows that it is not being properly promoted across the EU, nor has it proper technical interoperability and linguistic support everywhere.

"Ironically the UK has established one of the best systems, but on the downside only 20% of British people know the number so they are totally exposed when they travel in Europe. The Commission really has to get on with this and pursue the recalcitrant member states to do whatever is necessary to protect our citizens.

Liz went on to say:

"This initiative is a great way of getting Europe's citizens together on an issue which can be critical to anyone of them or their families when travelling or working elsewhere in the EU. Europe's institutions must react to this campaign otherwise we risk bringing the whole initiative system into disrepute. The initiatives system should rather be something which enhances European democracy, as was intended in the draft Constitutional Treaty."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The online petition can be signed at www.112petition.eu

Although the European Commission is aware of the fact that the 112 number has not been properly implemented, it refuses to conduct an objective and independent evaluation of the 112 service chain (something that only Portugal had the courage to conduct in 2003 while preparing for the Euro 2004 Football Championship).