Recital (55)

Considering the increases in unforeseeable weather events, in particular extreme floods and prolonged droughts, and in significant pollution incidents resulting in or exacerbating transboundary accidental pollution, Member States should be required to ensure that information on such incidents is provided without delay to other potentially affected Member States and effectively cooperate with such Member States to mitigate the effects of the event or incident. It is also necessary to reinforce cooperation between Member States and streamline procedures for transboundary cooperation in the case of more structural, i.e. non-accidental and longer-term transboundary issues which cannot be solved at Member State level, in accordance with Article 12 of Directive 2000/60/EC. Where Member States have already established effective cooperation, this should be taken into account. If Union assistance is necessary, competent national authorities can send requests for assistance to the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the Commission, which will facilitate the coordination of the provision of the required assistance through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, in accordance with Article 15 of Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council. Moreover, considering that river basin districts can also extend beyond the territory of the Union, it is important to ensure that Member States effectively implement Directive 2000/60/EC within their respective territories. Member States should also endeavour to establish appropriate coordination with the relevant third countries which would contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives set out in that Directive for those specific river basin districts.