Insrument for Stability - Expert Support Facility - Lot 5: CBRN training Centre on Safety and Security - Final report Phase 1

Seven field missions have been carried out. Three of them have addressed the South East Asia region (Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines), two the Middle East region (Jordan and UAE) and two the North African region (Morocco and Egypt). The countries have been evaluated using a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and the criteria identified at the Lot 5 kick-off meeting May 20, 2008 (Willingness; Infrastructure; Sustainability; International Cooperation; Stability; and Regional Influence). A common conclusion drawn from almost all field missions, with the possible exception of Singapore, was that the countries displayed a very uneven level of economical and scientific development. In the same country Lot 5 experts could encounter, e.g. laboratories or health facilities with the latest, top-of-the-line modern equipment as well as other facilities that lacked basic ventilation. The same can be said for the level of education. Finally Lot 5 experts could detect a similar theme with regards to political awareness regarding CBRN issues. All would generally agree to the importance of these issues, but at the same time in practical terms leave some part of the CBRN concept unaddressed; e.g. focussing on building a strong framework regarding the use of nuclear energy, but paying less attention to other parts of the spectrum like providing a national emergency plan or safeguarding biosafety and security. However this appearance of an unbalanced situation can be traced back to limited resources and an overwhelmed list of political priorities. EU cooperation could therefore make a serious and beneficial impact in the three regions.