The assurance that the agency can be set up on site and take up its functions at the date of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. This criterion concerns in particular the availability of appropriate office space. This should include the necessary logistics and sufficient space for offices, meeting rooms and off-site archiving, high-performing telecommunication and data storage networks as well as appropriate physical and IT security standards.

The accessibility of the location. This criterion concerns the availability, frequency and duration of flight connections from the capitals of all EU member states to the airports close to the location, the availability, frequency and duration of public transportation connections from these airports to the location, as well as the quality and quantity of accommodation facilities. In particular, the criterion implies the capacity to allow for the continuation of the volume and intensity of current meeting activities of the agency.

The existence of adequate education facilities for the children of agency staff. This criterion concerns the availability of multi-lingual, European-oriented schooling that can meet the needs of the children of current staff as well as the capacity to meet future education needs.

Appropriate access to the labor market, social security and medical care for both children and spouses. This criterion concerns the capacity to meet the needs of the children and spouses of current as well as future staff for social security and medical care, as well as the availability of job opportunities for them.

Business continuity. This criterion is relevant given the critical nature of the services provided by the agencies and the need to ensure continued functionality at the existing high level. It relates to the timeframe required to fulfil the four criteria above. It concerns among other things the ability to allow the agencies to maintain and attract highly qualified staff from the relevant sectors, notably in case not all current staff should choose to relocate. It also concerns the capacity to ensure a smooth transition to the new location and to guarantee the business continuity of the agencies.

Geographical spread. This relates to the agreed desirability of geographical spread of the agencies' seats, and to the objective set in December 2003 by the representatives of the member states.

EU Postpones Decision On EMA’s New Home To November

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