The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, announced on Tuesday 17 March that the Commission is looking into how to involve the countries of the Western Balkans in EU initiatives to tackle the coronavirus epidemic and its impact.
"We are also looking at how best to provide support to mitigate the socio-economic impact, including by redirecting funding from the pre-accession funds (IPA) and showing flexibility on state aid rules", he announced after a video conference with the Prime Ministers of the countries in the region and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
"Close coordination and cooperation at regional level and with the EU is essential", the Commissioner added.
"In these difficult times, solidarity is necessary. This is not the time for polemics or unfounded recriminations", a Commission spokesman told EUROPE. On Monday 16 March, the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, criticised the Union's lack of solidarity, calling for help from China (see EUROPE 12447/7). Exports of medical equipment are still possible, but they must be authorised by the Member States' authorities, according to the Commission.
Mr Várhelyi's announcement should satisfy the S&D group in the European Parliament. It called on the Commission and Member States on Tuesday 17 March to include the Western Balkans in the European response.
The group called for the redirection of unspent pre-accession funds (IPA) to address the coronavirus crisis in order to purchase tests or protective medical equipment or to take other measures to mitigate the effects of the epidemic. The EU should also consider mobilising the margins of other external financial instruments, the group said in a statement. According to the S&D, the Western Balkans should be excluded from the new 'protective equipment export licensing scheme' for non-Member States and be allowed to buy essential medical equipment such as face masks on the EU market. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)