The social partners (ETUC, BusinessEurope, CEEP, SMEunited) urge European leaders, in a joint statement issued on Wednesday 25 March, to rapidly adopt the emergency measures proposed by the European Commission, in particular the freezing of the Stability and Growth Pact.
The ECOFIN Council has already considered that the conditions are in place to activate, for the first time, the general escape clause provided for in the European fiscal rules (see EUROPE 12452/1).
The social partners fully support the other Commission proposals (see EUROPE 12446/1, EUROPE 12446/2) aimed at combating distortions within the single market, in particular prohibitions and restrictions on the export of medical equipment and medicines and support for the transport of goods.
Measures for the use of unused pre-financing in the Structural Funds and changes to the EU Solidarity Fund, ECB and EIB measures and the relaxation of the State Aid framework are approved.
In general, the social partners encourage Member States’ expenditure and investment to support medical staff and to strengthen national health and social protection systems and other services of general interest.
The Twenty-Seven and the European Parliament will discuss these various measures on Thursday 26 March (see other news). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)