Difficulties in the supply of vaccines to the European Union will dominate the discussions, Thursday, March 25, of the Twenty-Seven meeting in summit by videoconference. 

As several EU countries again tighten restrictions on the population to deal with the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the slowness of vaccine campaigns and AstraZeneca's delivery problems are fueling frustrations at within the block.

In response, the Commission has strengthened a vaccine export control mechanism put in place in January, with a number of AstraZeneca vaccines being manufactured in factories located on European territory.

The approach has aroused criticism from London, the first recipient of doses exported by the continent, but the two parties showed their willingness to find a solution on Wednesday evening.

EU divided on vaccine export controls

The device makes it possible to prevent exports of vaccines to countries which themselves produce vaccines, components or equipment, and which do not deliver the European Union.

Exports could also be blocked to countries whose populations are already widely vaccinated or which benefit from a better epidemiological situation.

Within the EU, if some like France support this mechanism which allows Europe to "defend its interests", others are more critical.

Dublin has expressed its firm opposition to any "blocking".

Belgium, which hosts many pharmaceutical production sites, is worried about possible retaliatory measures that would disrupt international vaccine production chains.

A concern shared by the Netherlands and Germany.

The decision to authorize or prohibit the export is a case-by-case assessment of the State hosting the production site, but the Commission has the final say in the event of disagreement.

Controversy over vaccine distribution

Another sensitive issue is the distribution of vaccines within the 27: six countries, including Austria, which feel aggrieved, have asked for a mechanism to correct the current system.

Discussions are underway at expert level to find a solution to help these countries but the issue should not be resolved at the summit, according to diplomatic sources.

Each member state could reserve doses in proportion to its population, but "some countries have decided to buy fewer vaccines (...), this approach cannot be blamed on the EU or other European countries", fact worth a diplomat.

The health certificate proposed by the Commission to facilitate travel in the EU and save the summer tourist season, will also be discussed by the heads of state and government, who meet virtually from 1 p.m. (12 p.m. GMT).

Participation of Joe Biden 

The Europeans will be joined in the evening by Joe Biden, a strong signal of the renewal of the transatlantic relationship.

The opportunity to discuss collaboration in terms of vaccines in particular. 

In terms of international affairs, the subject of Russia will only be briefly discussed, as the videoconference format is not conducive to debate.

And concerning relations with Ankara, the Europeans deferred their decisions to June, we learned from diplomatic sources.

While the two sides want relations to normalize after months of tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, the EU is concerned about the deterioration of fundamental rights in this country, which recently left the Istanbul convention on combating violence against women. Women's.

The summit, scheduled for two days, could finally end early Friday, or even Thursday evening.

 With AFP

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