(Recasts throughout with details from news conference)

STOCKHOLM, Feb 22 (Reuters) - The European Union is the best prepared area in the world to meet an influenza pandemic but still needs two or three years before it can cope fully, the EU's disease control agency said on Thursday.

In a report, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) urged EU nations to integrate preparations at national, local and international levels to expand influenza research and do more to combat seasonal outbreaks.

"ECDC estimates that a further two to three years of sustained effort are needed by the EU and its member states to achieve the level of preparedness needed to respond well to a pandemic," it said.

Zsuzsanna Jakab, director of the Stockholm-based agency, told a Web broadcast news conference member nations had "gone a long way" in preparation over the past 18 months to two years.

"I already consider that at this stage the European Union is the best prepared region in the world if you compare it with other countries," she said.

The ECDC report involved 25 EU states, plus Iceland and Norway. Another update is due later this year.

Jakab said the EU must sustain this momentum for the next two to three years and take the steps set out in the report.

"If this is done, then EU countries will be in a position to respond well to a pandemic," she said.

A good response means primary care facilities and hospitals can treat influenza victims without reducing other activities, vaccines reach primary care systems within six months of an outbreak and food, power and fuel are still available at a local level.

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