The Coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action. The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation. The European Union is taking strong action to limit the spread of the virus. […]
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Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 12 March 2020
Agenda highlights Trade ministers will focus on the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference, recent developments in trade relations with China and the United States, as well as the impact the COVID-19 outbreak could have on supply chains and trade flows. WTO Ministerial Conference The Council will review the preparations for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, taking place on 8 to 11 June 2020 in Nur-Sultan, […]
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The first 100 days of the new Comission
The new Commission led by President Ursula von der Leyen took office on 1 December 2019. Within its first 100 days, the Commission focused on delivering its most important priorities set in the President’s political guidelines. Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 As early as day 11, the Commission presented a European Green Deal, a roadmap to […]
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Revise Parliament’s calendar as a precautionary health-related measure
In a shortened plenary session due to coronavirus concerns, MEPs discussed the EU’s response to the outbreak, tensions at the Greek-Turkish border and the EU long-term budget and decided that all activities scheduled for the week starting on 16 March will be postponed or cancelled. The week starting with 23 March stays unchanged. This week political […]
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COVID-19: IFRC, UNICEF and WHO issue guidance to protect children and support safe school operations
The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) today issued new guidance to help protect children and schools from transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The guidance provides critical considerations and practical checklists to keep schools safe. It also advises national and local authorities on how to adapt and […]
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President Michel and President von der Leyen on the response to the COVID-19 outbreak
President Michel and President von der Leyen brief the press on the meeting via video conference between EU leaders. During the video conference on 10 March 2020 we emphasised the need to work together and to do everything necessary and to act swiftly. They stressed the need for a joint European approach and a […]
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Coronavirus: MEPs call for solidarity among EU member states
Parliament discussed the COVID-19 outbreak with the Commission and the Croatian presidency on Tuesday, underlining the need to slow down the spread across Europe. Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said COVID-19 was a public health emergency that is changing by the hour. Member states must focus on containing the virus […]
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EDA Statement: COVID-19 Update
The European Defence Agency (EDA) confirms that two additional staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Both staff members have been at home in self-isolation since 2 March and have thus not returned to the Agency since symptoms appeared. Given that both staff members had been in close contact with the first staff member who […]
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This week in Brussels: long-term budget, climate law, COVID-19
MEPs will discuss the Coronavirus outbreak, the EU’s long-term budget and the situation at the Greek-Turkish border during the plenary session on 9-12 March. Agenda Coronavirus Following the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, MEPs will assess EU efforts to come up with a coherent EU-wide response on Tuesday. They will vote on a resolution on Thursday. […]
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