European Union

The Regional Development Committee is ready to find the most efficient way possible to allow the Corona Response Investment Initiative to be adopted and swiftly implemented.
Committee on Regional Development

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Regional Development Committee is ready to find the most efficient way possible to allow the Corona Response Investment Initiative to be adopted and swiftly implemented.
Committee on Regional Development

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The EU and eurozone will enter a recession this year, and its growth projection could go"considerably below zero" due to the coronavirus, the EU commission warned. Maarten Verwey, director general for economic and financial affairs said that "normally, we can expect normally to bounce back" in 2021. The official said member states' quick and bold measures will be crucial in not letting the shock turn into a long-term crisis.

Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee Chair welcomed the Commission’s swift proposal and pledged that MEPs will work quickly on the legislation.
Committee on Transport and Tourism

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee Chair welcomed the Commission’s swift proposal and pledged that MEPs will work quickly on the legislation.
Committee on Transport and Tourism

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Czech Republic on Friday introduced an unprecedented travel ban in a fight against the coronavirus. Czechs and foreigners with permanent or long-term residency in the Czech Republic will not be allowed to leave the country, beginning on 16 March. Foreigners will not be able to enter the country for the next 30 days. People working abroad (within 50km of the Czech border) will be able to cross.

Romanian interim prime minister Ludovic Orban will quarantine himself after coming into contact with one of his party's senators who was later confirmed to have the coronavirus, he said Friday. Orban, his cabinet and Liberal Party leaders will enter self-quarantine and testing was underway, he said. As of Friday afternoon, Romania recorded 73 confirmed cases of the virus, with no fatalities.

Italy’s death toll from the coronavirus epidemic shot past 1,000 on Thursday (12 March) as the economic impact worsened, with much of the country at a standstill and the Milan bourse posting its largest-ever one-day fall. Milan’s stock exchange fell...

The European Commission revealed on Friday (13 March) its plan to suspend for four months rules that have forced airlines to keep empty ‘ghost flights’ in the air, as a result of coronavirus cancellations. But carriers want their obligations put on ice until the end of October.

As France is seeing a rapid spike in coronavirus cases (500 new cases in 24 hours, as of Thursday), France could be looking at adopting measures in case of an “Italian-style scenario”. As of Thursday (12 March), 2,281 people have...

The number of coronavirus cases has reached 302 as of Thursday (12 March) with the first coronavirus death having been confirmed the same day (12 March). In addition to measures already announced, Austria will be enacting even more stringent measures...

Some German states have begun to close their schools and daycare centres to slow the spread of the coronavirus. By Friday (13 March), officials in Berlin, Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Saarland had announced their plans to stagger school closings starting...

Written by Izabela Cristina Bacian,

© Shutterstock

Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak and the potential EU-wide ramifications, Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU Member States welcomed the initiative to hold a special meeting by video-conference on 10 March 2020. European Council President Charles Michel expressed his sympathy for all those citizens affected by the disease and, in particular, for Italy, the country most affected so far. The Member States discussed the COVID-19 outbreak and agreed on four lines of action to contain the spread of the disease. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, the President of the Eurogroup, Mario Centeno, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, also took part in the discussion.

The format of the meeting was exceptional in several aspects. It is noteworthy that, for the first time, a video-conference call, bringing all EU Heads of State or Government together, as well as many representatives from other institutions, was organised in such a formal manner. The meeting was followed by a regular press conference, and resulted in the President of the European Council releasing its conclusions. Given the very productive outcome of the meeting, it is possible that such a format could be used more frequently in the future.

Following the discussion, EU leaders identified four priorities: 1) Limiting the spread of the virus; 2) Provision of medical equipment; 3) Promotion of research; and 4) Tackling the socio-economic consequences. Member States agreed that all measures taken should be based on science and be proportionate, and that all relevant information would be shared through existing coordination mechanisms. It will be essential that medical equipment be made available, and the European Commission will pursue joint public procurement, prioritising protective equipment and respiratory devices. Member States called for more research, including towards the development of a vaccine. The Commission has already mobilised €140 million of public and private funding for research on vaccines, diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, it will assemble a team of epidemiologists and virologists from different Member States to agree guidelines to apply at European level.

The Heads of State or Government agreed to act in a coordinated manner to address the socio-economic impact of the virus outbreak on specific affected sectors and employees, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In this context, a flexible application of EU rules on state aid and the Stability and Growth Pact would be needed. The Commission will propose concrete measures before the Eurogroup meeting on 16 March 2020. Lastly, the Commission will bring forward a Corona Response Investment Initiative to support health systems, SMEs, the labour market and other vulnerable sectors. The Commission intends to make €7.5 billion in liquidity available in the coming weeks, which could be increased to €25 billion.

Regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the aviation industry, legislation will be proposed to temporarily loosen the airport slot usage obligations on airlines under EU law. Under the EU Airport Slots Regulation (EEC 95/93), airlines are required to use 80 % of their allocated slots, or face losing their right to such slots in future seasons. The European Council will follow up on all of these issues during its meeting on 26-27 March 2020.

Read this ‘At a glance’ on ‘Outcome of the video-conference call of EU Heads of State or Government on10 March 2020‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) takes additional precautionary measures to those announced on 4 and 6 March, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The measures are in line with advice received by the Belgian national authorities on 12 March and considering the approach taken at EU level.  All measures have been communicated to staff and point of contacts in the Member States.

The following measures are currently implemented and are constantly reviewed: 

• All meetings and events planned to be hosted by the Agency until 8 April included will be postponed to a later date.
• As of 16 March, all EDA staff in non-critical functions will telework, until further notice. Colleagues who ensure critical functions will continue to be present at the Agency.
• Any person with symptoms is asked to stay at home and self-isolate.
• Hygiene measures are systematically being reinforced and staff have been asked to observe them meticulously.
• All non-essential travel arrangements are to be cancelled until 8 April included.  

The European Defence Agency is monitoring the situation closely and stands ready to review or introduce further measures if required. 

 

As of Thursday (12 March), 519 are reported to have been infected, with the country’s first death linked to COVID-19 having been confirmed on Wednesday. The patient was elderly who had underlying health conditions was being treated at the intensive...

As of Thursday (12 March), Finland reported 109 cases of coronavirus infections and no deaths linked to the novel virus, after health authorities had reported 50 new infections since Wednesday. After having considered banning large public events such as ice...

France’s municipal elections on Sunday (16 March) will be a major test for President Emmanuel Macron in the wake of the popular protests by the gilets jaunes and over controversial pension reforms. They will also be the first such polls in which British citizens in France will not be able to vote.

The Bulgarian government late on Thursday (12 March) proposed emergency measures to be adopted by Parliament. However, PM Boyko Borissov’s speech was unclear and the details are difficult to grasp. It appears that kindergarten, schools and universities will be closed,...

Efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus are putting a major strain on Europe's healthcare systems and economies: hospitals are having to turn away patients, entire business sectors are crippled, and now schools are being closed. The situation is also taking a heavy toll on the people. Commentators examine the changes the virus is producing at all levels of society.