Filenews 26 March 2021
The 27 warn that restrictions on non-essential travel should be maintained due to the serious epidemiological situation, while stressing the importance of transparency as well as the use of vaccine export licences and calling for an increase in their production and compliance with the agreements agreed by the companies, according to a draft of the 27 declaration. In addition, they instruct the Council to promote legislative and technical work on interoperable digital COVID-19 certificates, on the basis of the Commission's proposal.
In particular, the draft declaration of the 27 on the pandemic seen by the CYPE states so far:
"Accelerating the production, delivery and use of vaccines remains necessary and urgent to overcome the crisis. Efforts to this end need to be further intensified."
"We underline the importance of transparency as well as the use of export licences. We reaffirm that companies must ensure the predictability of their vaccine production and meet contractual delivery deadlines," 27 stress.
They also warn that "the epidemiological situation remains serious, also in the light of the challenges posed by mutations".
"Restrictions must therefore be observed for the time being, including on non-essential travel, taking into account the specific situation of cross-border communities, while the seamless flow of goods and services within the single market must continue to be ensured, including the use of Green Lanes," the leaders say.
However, they note, "preparations should start from a common approach to the gradual lifting of restrictions in order to ensure that efforts are coordinated when the epidemiological situation allows for the relaxation of current measures".
"The legislative and technical work on interoperable digital CERTIFICATEs COVID-19, on the basis of the Commission's proposal, must be promoted as a matter of urgency", the 27 write.
"The European Union will continue to strengthen its global response to the pandemic. Work on the creation of a vaccine exchange mechanism needs to be promoted quickly in order to complement and support COVAX's leading role in ensuring universal access and use of vaccines," they conclude.
Source: CYPE
