13. Actively contributing to strengthening the EU’s civil capabilities for conflict prevention and crisis management and participating in international measures which serve this aim. 14. Provision, preparation, training and deployment of civil experts for international civil crisis management, using examples from similar states as a basis. This includes experts from the areas of the police force, the rule of law, administrative services, civil protection, ambulance services and fire departments as well as other civil experts, as an active contribution to achieving the EU Civilian Headline Goal; ensuring that the preconditions for the deployment of these experts are met. 15. Improved information on civil protection and self-protection measures for the population of Austria. 16. Optimising the warning systems and providing support for improving safety measures in private households. 17. Improving the capabilities within the area of internal security in order to support political and military anticipation and leadership capabilities and the collective national assessment of the situation, and to provide the relevant advisory services and raise awareness. 4.3 Foreign policy aspects of security policy In terms of security policy, Austria’s foreign policy shall be based on the following principles: 1. Consistent advocacy of the defined values, interests and objectives at bilateral, European and international levels. 2. Intensively utilizing and increasing the efficiency of the diplomatic apparatus for gathering and analysing information on events and developments throughout the world which are relevant to security and which are integrated into the collective national assessment of the situation. 3. Austria playing an active role as a mediator in international conflicts and seizing suitable opportunities for mediation resulting from Austria’s status as, both an EU Member State and a neutral country. 4. Strengthening the security of international organisations and agencies with security policy mandates based in Austria; actively endeavouring to house further such institutions; complying with the associated protection tasks. 5. Consistent advocacy of global respect for human rights. 6. Strong support for peaceful resolution of conflicts and crises, especially in the Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa as well as in sub-Saharan Africa. Promoting international cooperation in these areas, both at bilateral and multilateral levels. Furthermore, enhanced foreign policy commitments in the Danube, Black Sea and Caucasus regions. 7. Further developing Austria’s and the EU’s cooperation with strategic partners, such as the USA, Russia and the emerging powers, taking European values into account and asserting the rights and fundamental freedoms with self-confidence, also with regard to the efforts made to find sustainable solutions to problems in international regions of crisis. 8. Commitment to and strengthening of the EU with regard to its role in international crisis management. 9. Pro-actively contributing to the development of the CFSP, so as to achieve the objectives of the European Security Strategy and fully implement EU security interests. 10. Active and solidarity-oriented participation in the CSDP, in establishing the necessary specialised crisis management capabilities of the European civil and military sectors, and increasing the EU’s ability to act independently in security matters. 19