(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, APRIL 16 - Serbia and European Union signed an agreement which clears the way for the membership of Serbia in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Once national ratification has been completed, Serbia will become the 33rd participating state in the European cooperation framework for disaster management and response to emergencies.

"At a time of more disasters striking both in Europe and around the world, Serbia's entry into the Mechanism underscores the strong necessity and desire to work closer together for better prevention, preparedness and response" said Christos Stylianides, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism currently facilitates co-operation in disaster response, preparedness, and prevention among 32 European states (EU-28 plus the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Norway and Montenegro). With support from the EU Commission, the participating states pool the resources that can be made available to disaster-stricken countries. (ANSA).