The European Commission on Wednesday provided three million euros in initial aid to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, and carried out an EU-coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean island nation.

The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, offered his deepest condolences to the victims and to the people of Haiti and pledged Europe's full support in the international relief effort, the commission said in a statement.

The newly appointed EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said that "We are troubled by the reports on the devastating earthquake in Haiti. We are still gathering information to understand the impact on the population. My colleagues in the Commission and I offer our full assistance to Haiti and will mobilize all available instruments to support the population of Haiti in this difficult time. "

Ashton, also vice president of the European Commission, convened an EU emergency coordination meeting. Following initial assessments of the situation in Haiti, the commission decided to use its fast-track relief funding to provide three million euros to the country.

An EU relief expert was expected to arrive in Port-au-Prince later Wednesday to conduct a preliminary assessment, the statement said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2010)