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EU states want to speed up the production of corona vaccines and generally take a “more strategic approach” to this problem. This was shown after about half of the speakers at the two-day EU video summit that began Thursday, said in council circles.
From the environment of the president of the Council of the EU, Charles Michel, it was said that the EU summit also wanted to achieve greater convergence and a harmonized approach on the issue of vaccination certificates. While countries like Austria, Greece, Spain and Italy are pushing for a digital “Green Passport” with relief for vaccinated, convalescent and examined people, according to diplomats France and Germany have stepped on the brakes in this regard. Critics fear the downsides for people who have not yet been vaccinated.
At night it was said from EU Council circles that there was a “growing support “for a digital certificate with common criteria for access to member states and steps to open the company. It works on the criteria of vaccination, negative tests or immunity.
Bottom line: the Green Corona Pass should arrive in spring
From the beginning, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) reiterated his request for a digital “Green Passport” for those vaccinated, recovered and crown tested. I guess this project will have to be rolled out in the spring, wif not throughout Europe, then at the national level, with the corresponding agreements with other states, where the same applies “, Kurz said in Vienna.
Kurz sees countries like Greece, Italy and Spain on his side, where tourism plays an important role as in Austria. It is not only about tourism, but also about other events in the areas of sports and culture and gastronomy, said the Chancellor. “That will need a safety net.” The goal is “not to remain in a permanent lockdown.” He hopes that at the EU video summit he will commit that the project will at least be examined. In any case, the model for the “Green Passport” is Israel, which already has such a system.
Kurz responded to critics of the idea that it would be wrong to claim that unvaccinated people would be marginalized because they would have the opportunity to get tested. Kurz also emphasized: “We are not talking about a vaccination pass, but about a digital green passport.” The vaccine is not the only tool, even those who have recovered are immune for a time and those who have been tested will not become infected. Kurz assumes that Germany will soon carry out massive tests like Austria.
Sassoli calls for permanent health competencies in the EU
As a lesson from the corona pandemic The President of the EU Parliament, David Sassoli, called for permanent European powers in health matters. The task should be to develop a European health policy and assign EU institutions “clearly defined competencies” in this area, Sassoli said according to his office at the video summit of heads of state and government on Thursday. Changes to the EU treaties should no longer be “taboo”.
Sassoli noted that the EU had been given “de facto” powers in the field of public health during the Crown crisis. The pandemic has shown that important decisions to combat it effectively “can only be made correctly at the European level”. The Italian mentioned, among other things, the supply of medical equipment and vaccines, restrictions on passenger traffic and the closure of borders.
Health problems, such as border controls, have so far been practically purely national. But Sassoli saw “there is no turning back” as a lesson from the pandemic: “It would be a mistake, a waste of energy, and we would be ill-equipped to meet future challenges,” he said.
EU summit wants to speed up corona vaccine production
At the summit there were also many questions for the EU Commission, which is represented by its president Ursula von der Leyen, said, especially about the ability to plan more vaccines, transparency in production and exports. The contracts must be respected, was the tenor regarding the vaccine manufacturers.
Kurz answered affirmatively to the question whether the EU states would also provide funds for this. This is an area where it would make sense to be generous, he said. Austria would also be willing to make a contribution here, they are in contact with the manufacturers of pharmaceuticals.
How should you react to mutations?
On the first day of the summit, which lasts until Friday, in which Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) participates, According to information from the EU Commission, the main problem will be how to react to the mutations of the virus. The variant of the virus found in Britain has already been detected in all EU countries, the mutant first recorded in South Africa in seven and the Brazilian mutation in 16 member states, according to the Commission. There are still problems with the implementation of the agreement that all states must test at least five percent of their positive cases for the mutations.
Acquisition of vaccines in question
The EU summit will also discuss the procurement of vaccines and the corresponding production capacities in the EU. Kurz answered affirmatively to the question of whether the EU states would also provide funds for this. This is an area where it would make sense to be generous, he said. Austria would also be willing to make a contribution here, they are in contact with manufacturers of pharmaceuticals.
Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger and Secretary of State Magnus Brunner (both ÖVP) had previously embraced Kurz’s proposal for a European “Green Passport” for those vaccinated, recovered and corona tested. Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens) called for a European solution and clarification of open issues. The opposition and MEPs were reluctant. Meanwhile, the tourism industry awaits the “Green Pass”.
A decision from the EU heads of state and government is not yet expected on Thursday. Germany, France and other countries have reservations because it is unclear whether people who have been vaccinated will transmit the virus. Opponents also fear mandatory back door vaccination. According to the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boiko Borissow, Bulgaria and Greece support Kurz’s demand.
Excitement for travel restrictions
Travel restrictions should cause a stir at the meeting. Recently, several EU countries toughened up their border regimes to the chagrin of other member states and the EU Commission. “We look forward to a lively discussion,” he said on Wednesday from EU Council circles. All positions are “valid”.
It wasn’t until Tuesday that Germany, for example, announced the extension of border controls to much of Tyrol. Berlin had declared that the state, as well as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, were the so-called variant areas of the virus. Austria and the EU Commission have harshly criticized this measure.
