Article III-321 (#)

1. The Union's operations in the field of humanitarian aid shall be conducted within the framework
of the principles and objectives of the external action of the Union. Such operations shall be intended
to provide ad hoc assistance and relief and protection for people in third countries who are victims of
natural or man-made disasters, in order to meet the humanitarian needs resulting from these
different situations. The Union's operations and those of the Member States shall complement and
reinforce each other.
2. Humanitarian aid operations shall be conducted in compliance with the principles of
international law and with the principles of impartiality, neutrality and non-discrimination.
3. European laws or framework laws shall establish the measures defining the framework within
which the Union's humanitarian aid operations shall be implemented.
4. The Union may conclude with third countries and competent international organisations any
agreement helping to achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1 and in Article III-292.
The first subparagraph shall be without prejudice to Member States' competence to negotiate in
international bodies and to conclude agreements.
5. In order to establish a framework for joint contributions from young Europeans to the
humanitarian aid operations of the Union, a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps shall be
set up. European laws shall determine the rules and procedures for the operation of the Corps.
6. The Commission may take any useful initiative to promote coordination between actions of the
Union and those of the Member States, in order to enhance the efficiency and complementarity of
Union and national humanitarian aid measures.
7. The Union shall ensure that its humanitarian aid operations are coordinated and consistent with
those of international organisations and bodies, in particular those forming part of the
United Nations system.