Covid-19: a new European summit to prepare a better response

The new virtual European summit promises to be tense, in particular on the issues of the post-Covid-19 recovery plan, while the health situation is still complicated in Europe.

© Olivier HOSLET / POOL / AFP

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2 min

The Covid-19 pandemic will be on the menu at Thursday's European summit.

The heads of state and government of the European Union will exchange by videoconference to try to better coordinate the response to the epidemic, as Europe suffers a second wave.

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The 27 are meeting virtually for the second time in three weeks.

Much progress still needs to be made to coordinate better.

The European information exchange platform, for example, is fed by only a handful of countries.

Tracking applications, which differ from state to state, are often incompatible with each other.

Another room for progress would be achievable regarding the mutual recognition of tests.

In a press release, the European Commission also recommends the 27 to use antigenic tests under certain conditions, faster but less reliable tests, to better contain the second wave of the pandemic.

Tensions with Hungary and Poland

The European Parliament announced that MEPs and Member States had reached a preliminary agreement to increase structural aid to regions facing the pandemic by € 47.5 billion over the next two years.

But the payment of these funds

remains suspended

from the recovery plan and the European multiannual budget, for the time being blocked, paralyzed by a veto from Hungary and Poland.

The two countries, joined by Slovenia, refuse to link the payment of European funds to respect for the rule of law.

This new budgetary sling from the East could gain the upper hand on all other subjects.

►Also listen: Debate of the day - Should European funds be made conditional on respect for the rule of law?

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  • European Union

  • Coronavirus

  • Hungary

  • Poland

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