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According to one report, Austria is threatened with a blockage in the procurement of vaccines.
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According to a media report, Austria should block the purchase of an additional vaccine if it does not receive a larger part of the delivery. The statements were rejected at the Federal Chancellery.
According to a media report, Austria is threatening to block the purchase of an additional 100 million doses of vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer if it does not receive a larger share of the vaccine delivery. Internet portal Politico reported on Tuesday, citing EU diplomats from three countries. The Federal Chancellery rejected the information. The focus is on the dispute over the redistribution of the first ten million from Biontech / Pfizer between EU countries.
Redistribution generates controversy among EU countries
According to the report, these ten million cans from the German-American manufacturer could be delivered to the European Union in the second quarter. They are part of a purchase option for a second contract for a total of 100 million cans with Biontech / Pfizer, in addition to the 500 million that have already been ordered.
Now there is a dispute between the EU countries over the redistribution of the ten million doses that have been advanced. In the run-up to the summit, Austria and five other EU states (Czech Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Latvia) complained about the uneven distribution of vaccines in the EU. Not all EU countries had bought the amounts to which they were entitled based on their population.
Little sympathy for Austria, which is relatively well cared for.
While the eastern laggards in vaccination met with understanding at the summit, there was little sympathy for Austria, which was relatively well supplied. The vaccination rate in Austria is currently above the EU average. Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) still believes that Austria will benefit from the redistribution.
“Politico” reported, citing EU diplomats, that Austria had again requested additional doses at the EU vaccine steering committee on Friday morning. Austria “would prevent the EU Commission from exercising its option to buy 100 million cans if Vienna cannot get away with it,” he said.
The Federal Chancellery rejected information
“The Politico report is based on false information. We support the Portuguese Presidency in the search for a quick solution,” said the Federal Chancellery of the APA. In a statement that was also sent to Politico, it was said that “a quick solution to this issue was expected, so that the Commission can go ahead with the contract for the additional 100 million Pfizer cans as soon as possible.”
According to the report, the option to buy the 100 million cans from Biontech / Pfizer should be exercised in mid-April. EU states passed the debate on to EU ambassadors, who are currently fighting for a decision. Another meeting will take place tomorrow, Wednesday.
Criticism of Austria from Italy: must briefly clarify position
Meanwhile, criticism of Austria came from Italy. “We ask Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to clarify his position. The EU can no longer tolerate political games at the expense of citizens,” EU MP Tiziana Beghin said in a press release. “We call on the EU Commission to insist on its option right negotiated with Pfizer. The purchase of an additional 100 million cans is necessary in view of the fight against variants. We reject extortion,” said Beghin, leader of the parliamentary group of the Italian ruling. Five Star party in the EU-Houses of Parliament.
The EU MP for the ruling Italia Viva party, Nicola Danti, also accused Kurz of “blackmail”. “The EU has responded to the pandemic from the beginning on the principle of solidarity both in health and economic terms. It must not capitulate to this new blackmail, which shows that nationalism is selfishness,” Dante said.
Gamon: Turquoise Green Failed Vaccine Order
Andreas Schieder, head of the SPÖ delegation in the EU Parliament, said in a broadcast: “This is not just the opposite of European cooperation, it is a desperate kamikaze campaign. Austria is completely isolating itself and jeopardizing success. of vaccination across the EU “. He also stated: “The damage that could be done in this way could be enormous, because we do not need to wait for concessions from our EU partners in the near future.”
“The turquoise green spoiled its own vaccine order,” criticized Neos’ MEP Claudia Gamon in a broadcast. “The other EU states are ready to help those countries that are actually in a much worse position. Austria has isolated itself with its full blows. Now Kurz is pushing the European vaccination strategy against the wall and taking the entire the European Union”.
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