Annexes to COM(2005)662 - Commission provisions on “ARGUS” general rapid alert system

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dossier COM(2005)662 - Commission provisions on “ARGUS” general rapid alert system.
document COM(2005)662 EN
date December 23, 2005
annex to the Commission decision amending its internal rules of Procedures called common provisions setting-up the “ARGUS” general rapid alert system.

The internal electronic communications network will be realised through an information bus architecture. It will draw on existing databases and internal messaging technologies and will be supported by other means of communication (SMS, phone). Members of the ARGUS network will use it to share relevant information in real time on emerging and active crises and to coordinate response as appropriate. The information transmitted through the ARGUS bus will be available to all members, stored and logged. The system will be updated on the basis of experience gained and technological progress.

In the event of a major crisis, the President may decide, on his own initiative after having been alerted or at the request of a Member of the Commission, to activate a specific coordination process. The President may decide either to keep the responsibility to himself or to assign the responsibility for the Commission response to a Member of the Commission. Such responsibility will entail leading and coordinating the response to the crisis, representing the Commission towards the other institutions and being responsible for communicating with the public. The Secretariat general, under the authority of the President or the Member of the Commission to whom the responsibility was assigned, will activate the specific operational crisis management structure called Crisis Coordination Committee (CCC).

The CCC will assess and monitor the development of the situation, identify issues and options for decision and action, ensure that decisions and actions are implemented and ensure the coherence and consistency of the Commission response. However, decisions agreed within the CCC will be adopted through normal Commission decision-making procedures and will be executed by services and RAS.

[1] Name changed in current legal base.