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Brussels (dpa) - Because corona vaccine is so scarce, exports from the European Union should be more strictly controlled and, if necessary, stopped more frequently.
The German press agency learned this before the decision of the EU Commission planned for Wednesday.
General export bans are not planned, however, it said from EU circles.
Chancellor Angela Merkel had also turned against this.
Last week, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen threatened tougher export regulations and possible bans.
The background to this is that since February 1, according to EU data, more than 41 million vaccine doses have been exported from the EU to 33 countries, although there are no deliveries in Europe and vaccination is slow.
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The focus is primarily on the manufacturer Astrazeneca due to delivery backlogs, but also Great Britain, which imported ten million vaccine doses from the EU but, according to EU information, left nothing out.
The British media already wrote of an impending vaccination war.
According to information from EU circles, the EU Commission will initially decide on two innovations on Wednesday.
The control mechanism for vaccine experts introduced at the beginning of February is to be expanded: According to this, all planned exports must be reported and approved in future - exceptions for partner countries such as Israel or Switzerland and developing countries would be deleted.
In addition, it should not only be possible to stop exports if manufacturers fail to fulfill their EU contracts.
Rather, an additional benchmark should be whether "reciprocity and proportionality" are maintained.
This gives the EU the means to say no more often.
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It is about getting an even more detailed overview of exports and ensuring that the European Union is supplied fairly, said an EU representative.
Talks were held at the same time with countries such as Great Britain, but also with manufacturers.
Corporations that deliver reliably should continue to be supported in setting up production.
Long-term supply relationships should also be promised to them.
Chancellor Merkel spoke out against "general export bans" for corona vaccines on Tuesday night.
Because there are various international dependencies in vaccine production, said the CDU politician.
You have to look very closely at the supply chains.
The Chancellor said that decisions would be made “in a responsible manner” and that discussions would be sought with the British government.
The stricter export controls are to be discussed at the EU summit on Thursday, where the corona crisis is once again the top topic.
The plans for a “digital green certificate” for vaccinated, convalescent and tested people, which should allow more freedom of movement again from the summer, are also to be advised.
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Germany supports the concept and the schedule for the introduction by June 1, as European Minister of State Michael Roth said on the sidelines of consultations with his EU colleagues.
"We want to do our utmost to ensure that this schedule can be adhered to," said the SPD politician.
"We cannot afford empty promises here."
However, the schedule is very ambitious.
Roth rejected the demand from Austria and other countries to redistribute corona vaccines in the EU.
"I am amazed at this discussion," he said.
The previous procedure is fair and transparent.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210323-99-941414 / 2