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The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, appealed on Thursday to solidarity between EU countries to act "with a big heart, not 27 small" , and warned that the coronavirus pandemic could "divide definitely "to the countries of the Union between rich and poor.

"The decisions we are making today will remain in memory for a long time and will lay the foundations for the coming European Union," said Von der Leyen in the plenary session of the European Parliament on the EU's response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Von der Leyen admitted that the EU is currently at "a crossroads". " Will this virus definitively divide us between rich and poor? Between those who have a lot and those who have nothing? Or will we remain as a solid continent, as a serious interlocutor on the world scene? Can we even emerge stronger from this situation? In the face of the crisis, will our communities be able to unite more, will our democracies gain in esteem? "he asked.

He assured that Europe has "everything necessary" to overcome the coronavirus crisis and claimed one of the founders of the EU, Konrad Adenauer , noting that "history is the sum total of things that could have been avoided". "History watches us. Let's do the right thing together, with a big heart, not with 27 little ones," he added.

Von der Leyen indicated that "an invisible enemy tests the fundamental values" of the EU . "Once again, we have to trust each other. Once again, we have to help each other through these difficult times. Our obligation and our priority are now, in the first instance, to save the lives and livelihoods of Europeans. and the Europeans. But the day will come, I hope that in the not too distant future, when we will have to look forward and forge recovery together, "he said.

"CRISIS WITHOUT BORDERS"

During her speech, the President of the European Commission siby criticized Germany and France for recently restricting exports of medical devices. "A crisis without borders cannot be solved by erecting barriers between us. However, that was exactly the first reflection of many European countries. It does not make any sense. And, furthermore, it contravenes the essence of our European spirit. Because there is not a single one Member State that can meet its own needs when it comes to vital medical supplies and equipment. Not a single one, "he said.

Von der Leyen stressed that he found it "painful" to relate these events in some countries, since "when Europe really needed mutual support, there were too many who only looked for their own interest at first."

He said that the free movement of goods and services is the "only" asset of the EU to ensure that health supplies go where they are most needed. "It does not make sense that some countries unilaterally decided to freeze exports to other countries within the internal market. That is why the Commission intervened when some countries blocked the export of protective equipment to Italy. That is why we have issued guidelines on border measures to protect the health and maintain the availability of essential goods and services. This is why we are asking for priority 'green lanes' for the transport of essential goods , "he said.

"When Europe really needed a 'everyone for one' eagerness, there were too many who chose to answer 'everything for me' at first. And when Europe really needed to demonstrate that our Union is not just 'when the sun is shining', Too many refused to share their umbrellas at first . But it didn't take long before some felt the consequences of their own uncoordinated actions. So in the past few weeks we have taken exceptional and extraordinary steps to coordinate and make possible necessary action, "he said.

Von der Leyen welcomed the fact that this situation has been improving in recent weeks and countries are beginning to "help each other and, therefore, to help themselves."

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  • Europe
  • European Union
  • European Comission
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  • Ursula von der Leyen
  • European Parliament
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • Coronavirus

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