Article 2 Architecture of the IPCR
United Kingdom
The IPCR shall have two modes of activation, to be decided by the Presidency, depending on the gravity of the crisis and the needs for the response:
information sharing mode, which shall serve to establish a clear picture of the situation and to prepare the ground for a possible full activation;
full activation mode, which implies the preparation of response measures.
The IPCR shall consist of the supporting elements that are essential to ensuring informed decision-making within the Council and an effective political coordination at Union level. These supporting elements shall be the following:
informal roundtables convened by the Presidency with the support and advice of the General Secretariat of the Council (‘GSC’), as referred to in Article 7;
integrated situational awareness and analysis (‘ISAA’) capability developed by the Commission services and the EEAS within their respective roles and responsibilities, as referred to in Article 8;
a Council-owned, dedicated and protected web platform facilitating a timely exchange of information, as referred to in Article 9; and
a central 24/7 contact point at Union level with Member States' competent authorities and other stakeholders, which shall be provided for by the European Commission Emergency Response Coordination Centre, as referred to in Article 10.
In order to enhance the decision-making at Union political level, the supporting elements referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 2 shall have the following characteristics:
be tailored to the needs of the political decision-making level, under the guidance of the Presidency following the activation of the IPCR and in consultation with the Commission services and the EEAS;
cover all the key sectors affected by the crisis;
be integrated, bringing together the different dimensions of a crisis in a coherent way;
have the appropriate level of detail needed; and
be delivered in a timely manner, allowing sufficient time ahead of formal discussions.