Brussels, 20/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 20 October in Luxembourg, European foreign affairs ministers expressed their deep concern about the Ebola epidemic that had a ready left 4,500 people dead in West Africa and which could reach 10,000 new cases of infection every week by the end of the year in the three countries affected (Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea). Ministers also focused on the modalities for an enhanced EU co-ordinated response to this unprecedented crisis (see EUROPE 11179).
This is a multi-dimensional crisis involving humanitarian, health, economic and social implications and also represents “a threat to peace and security at a global level”. The Council conclusions underline that in addition to the €450 million already earmarked by the EU (humanitarian aid, civil protection and development assistance coordinated by the EEAS), they needed to step up the efforts jointly being made by the EU in coordination with the UN “to contain the epidemic and provide appropriate assistance to affected and neighbouring countries”. Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and EU Security Policy, referred to “an extremely complex and serious problem that we must not underestimate”. She insisted that this problem had to be tackled jointly “by EU member states and the Commission”.
The major objective set out by this preparatory meeting for the European Council on 23-24 October was to provide more details about organising an enhanced struggle against the Ebola virus by the leading countries involved at an international level: the US is particularly involved in Liberia, with 3,000 soldiers sent out there; the United Kingdom is playing a leading role in Sierra Leone, and France in Guinea, as is Germany with civil protection resources made available (military resources for logistical objectives and medical equipment). The meeting between French, British and German ministers also preceded the EU28 meeting in its conclusions and the Council welcomed “the role played by these countries” in stepping up the response in the three countries most affected.
A case-by-case approach to medical evacuation. At the present time, sending out healthcare professionals and volunteers to the countries affected, together with accompanying materials is proving adequate insofar as ensuring that the evacuation of international medical personnel could take place if the epidemic got seriously worse. Nonetheless, for the time being, the Council of the EU is simply advocating a case-by-case approach decided by the EU, in tandem with commercial airlines for non-contagious cases and through the memorandum of understanding concluded with the US airline Phoenix Air, which, if needs be, would allow for the simultaneous repatriation of two diagnosed or contagious patients. The Council welcomes the agreement concluded by member states and the Commission to guarantee healthcare personnel “the treatment they need, within the limitations of the resources available”.
David Cameron calls for significant shift. In a letter addressed to the President of the European Council and his colleagues, British Prime Minister, David Cameron warns that “we need to act quickly and contain this deadly virus. If we do not significantly step up our collective response now, the loss of life and damage to the political, economic and social fabric of the region will be substantial and the threat posed to our citizens will also grow”. Cameron is urging European leaders to reach an agreement during the European Council on 23-24 October on a raft of ambitious measures, namely: increasing EU contributions and those from member states to €1 billion, mobilising by the middle of November, at least 2,000 workers - including 1,000 medical staff, increasing coordination in verifying controls at entry points in Europe, and exchanging best practices on treating Ebola cases to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease in the EU. According to Germany and France, €450 million is not enough but for the time being the Council is simply calling on the international community to respond to the appeal launched by the United Nations for $987.8 million.
Designating someone responsible for Ebola. The idea of appointing a European coordinator for the fight against the Ebola epidemic, as a means to provide a face to the efforts involved in coordinating the European response, was welcomed by a majority of member states. The French minister, Laurent Fabius indicated that this appointment will take place over the next few weeks and that the person would be appointed by the European Council.
Civilian Mission. The German minister, Frank Walter Steinmeier, called on member states to do more and proposed the setting up of an EU civilian mission to be sent out to Africa to help the countries affected. A team of strategic planning experts at the EEAS would be carrying out a mission in the three countries from 21-27 October. The EEAS also plans to set up a coordinating cell, which will not be a new decision-making level but which will enable, if necessary, military resources to be used for civilian purposes that exceed the resources provided by countries like the United Kingdom and France to help coordinate possible contributions from smaller member states. (AN)