Since the late 1980s the HIV/AIDS epidemic has been a major health concern and a high priority for the EU. The EU focuses its action on:
• the promotion of prevention and increased awareness-raising
• an improvement of surveillance
• establishing networks linking major partners involved in the response to HIV/AIDS
• facilitating the dissemination of good practice
The EU has established major bodies for the exchange of information and the coordination of activities, addressing Member States and neighbouring countries. The EU is also active in developing countries and at global level and provides considerable support to the 'Global Fund' and other institutions.
As the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections has increased in many EU Member States and in their eastern European neighbours over the last years, the measures and action already being taken have to be reinforced and should deliver a sustainable contribution towards curbing down the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the future.
