The Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union decided, on Friday 28 February, to convene a second extraordinary meeting of the European Health Ministers on Friday 6 March to better coordinate at European level the mobilisation in the face of the epidemic of viral pneumonia caused by Covid-19.
A first extraordinary ministerial meeting was held two weeks ago (see EUROPE 12425/1). Discussions on the impact of the epidemic on the European economy will also take place at the informal meeting of Ministers for Competitiveness on Friday 20 March in Zagreb (see EUROPE 12435/8).
Mobilisation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
In response to the request for assistance from Italy, the country most affected by the COVID-19 viral pneumonia epidemic in Europe, the EU is working to provide Italy with protective masks through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the European Commission announced on Friday 28 February. At the same time, the EU is taking action to minimise the risk of a shortage of personal protective equipment in Europe.
Since the Italian authorities activated the Civil Protection Mechanism, the Commission’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has passed on the request to all countries participating in the Mechanism and will make sure that offers of assistance match the needs expressed.
“Italy is part of our European family and we will do all we can to help. We are in permanent contact with the Italian civil protection authorities”, commented Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič, stressing that “all countries should show solidarity and coordinate the response”.
The Commission also said on Friday that, together with the Member States, it is speeding up the common procurement procedure for the joint purchase of personal protective equipment needed by the Member States, with a view to minimising possible shortages. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)