About 20 member states of the European Union had provided assistance to Japan, said Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the EU, on Wednesday.

“About 20 Member States have offered personnel or material through the so-called European Civil Protection Mechanism,” Van Rompuy told the European Parliament Conference of Presidents. ” This assistance covers, among others, field hospitals, water purification units, search and rescue expertise.”

He said that the EU was also ready to assist in the case the situation in nuclear power plants deteriorates further. “Even if it will not be enough, we do what we can to help people in need,” he added.

According to Van Rompuy, EU leaders would discuss the catastrophe in Japan as well as its consequences for the world. ” One aspect is nuclear safety,” he said.

The EU announced on Tuesday to carry out “stress tests” on its member states’ nuclear power plants in the wake of Japan’s nuclear crisis. These would assess the risks of natural disasters for nuclear power plants.

“The energy ministers will meet next Monday to discuss the consequences for the energy sector and market and the response we can give,” said Van Rompuy.