What means to revive the economy after the coronavirus crisis? For the European Parliament, a form of pooling of European debt could allow economic recovery. In a resolution voted with a comfortable majority (395 votes in favor, 171 against, 128 abstentions), MEPs believe that in order to obtain this adjustment, it "should include" stimulus obligations "guaranteed by the EU budget", and call for the creation of a "European solidarity fund against the coronavirus of at least 50 billion euros".
"We want to ensure that the expenses of each state today are pooled, it is a matter of pooling the debt linked to the recovery plan", explained the President of the Parliament David Sassoli, during a press conference at the outcome of the plenary session. "This applies to the recovery plan but it will obviously not apply to [past debt]", he insisted, while this point was debated by MEPs.
In the same very broad resolution on the EU response to the crisis, the Parliament also expressed its "deep concern" over the situation in Hungary where the state of emergency had been declared for an indefinite period, and in Poland where presidential elections are to be held in the midst of a pandemic.
€ 3 billion emergency aid package
During this exceptional two-day plenary session, in which almost all MEPs participated remotely, the Parliament approved a package of emergency aid worth 3 billion euros, mainly intended for the health sector, as well as measures allowing immediate access to finance intended to mitigate the effects of the crisis. This European aid of 3.08 billion euros, taken from the 2020 budget, must support member states to provide more Covid-19 tests and help healthcare professionals.
"The initiative should enable the EU to purchase urgent medical supplies, such as masks or respiratory equipment, to transport medical equipment and patients to cross-border regions, to finance the recruitment of additional health professionals who can be deployed in the most affected areas of the Union, as well as helping Member States to build mobile field hospitals, "summarizes the Parliament.
Albania, Greece and fishermen will be helped
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control is to receive an additional € 3.6 million. In addition, 350 million are intended for Greece to support it in the field of migration, and 100 million will be allocated to Albania to help it finance reconstruction after the earthquake.
"Maximum" flexibility will now allow the deployment of EU structural funds not yet used to offset the negative effects of the crisis. Fishermen will be able to benefit from specific measures, to support them in the event of temporary cessation of their activities or for storage.
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