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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12459

2 April 2020
Contents Publication in full By article 3 / 37
EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19 / Research
COVID-19, EU is developing a mechanism to control test kits
Brussels, 01/04/2020 (Agency Europe)

European Union scientists have developed a new system that allows laboratories to check the reliability of their coronavirus tests. This new system, developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and presented by the European Commission on Wednesday 1 April, should make it possible to check up to 60 million tests and thus avoid “false negatives”. 

The control material is a synthetic, non-infectious part of the virus. “This new equipment has the potential to improve the EU's ability...

Contents

EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
EMPLOYMENT: outlines of European SURE unemployment reinsurance instrument
COHESION: Commission to present new measures to combat Covid-19
RESEARCH: COVID-19, EU is developing a mechanism to control test kits
DIGITAL: researchers have developed a code to trace contacts of COVID-19 patients
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT: European Commission approves use of negotiated procedure for purchase of emergency medical equipment
YOUTH: Commission publishes Q&A on Erasmus and Solidarity Corps in COVID-19 times
TRANSPORT: airlines must refund cancelled tickets, says Adina Vălean
ENERGY: over thirty organisations call on EU to put Green Deal at heart of economic recovery measures
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: COVID-19, international cooperation at heart of Ministerial videoconferences on 3 and 8 April
COUNCIL OF EUROPE: parliamentary assembly plans day of debates and votes on COVID-19 pandemic during June session
JUSTICE: impact of coronavirus on functioning of judicial systems on agenda of informal meeting of ministers for 6 April
HEALTH: virus that causes COVID-19 identified in environment prior to infection
INSTITUTIONAL
RULE OF LAW: Conference of Presidents of European Parliament invited to place Hungarian emergency law on agenda of next plenary session
PARLIAMENT: SPD MEPs set out vision for European response to crisis that goes beyond national egoism
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
PAYMENTS: banking industry unveils its vision of a “forward-looking European payments market”
BANKS: Single Resolution Board sets out its expectations for banks’ resolution planning
ROMANIA: imminent initiation of excessive deficit procedure
TAXATION: Commission proposes to continue to authorise Italy to grant VAT exemption to its small businesses until 2024
SECURITY - DEFENCE
NATO: cooperation against Covid-19, missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and political dimension of Alliance on agenda of ministerial meeting
EXTERNAL ACTION
KOSOVO: EU welcomes decision to remove tariffs on Serbian and Bosnian products
NORTH KOREA: six European countries condemn latest missile launches
UNITED STATES: for Washington, many European trade barriers are one of causes of US trade deficit
SECTORAL POLICIES
JUSTICE: Croatian EU Council Presidency presents first draft conclusions on strengthening financial investigations
JUSTICE: Commission opens consultation on General Data Protection Regulation
TRANSPORT: eight Member States request suspension of work on the first ‘mobility package’
AGRICULTURE: Commission requests a study on sugar supply chain after end of quotas
CLIMATE: carbon border adjustment mechanism is not justified, according to Carbon Market Watch
CIRCULAR ECONOMY: improving resource efficiency in Europe requires targets and monitoring, says EEA
ENERGY: oil and gas industry can cost-effectively reduce methane leakage, says IEA
ENERGY: revision of TEN-E must be in line with Paris Agreement, insists E3G
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
HUMAN RIGHTS: significant progress in execution of judgments of European Court of Human Rights, but challenges remain
NEWS BRIEFS
AGRICULTURE: delegated act of Commission on reduction of payments and flexibility between pillars
EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Marc Becquet new Director of Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels
JUSTICE: dismantling of a global child abuse ring with support of Europol
PARLIAMENT: Frans Timmermans will be heard by European Parliament Committee on Environment on 21 April
RUSSIA: EU denounces inclusion of Crimea in list of territories where land ownership is reserved for Russians
VENEZUELA: EU studies very carefully US proposals for way out of political crisis