The Presidents of the European Council, Charles Michel, and of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, considered that the G7 should take the initiative in shaping the post-COVID-19 crisis world, Thursday 16 April, during the videoconference of the leaders of the world's seven major economies.
These efforts will have to take place in close cooperation with international organisations and by placing multilateralism at the heart of the action, says their joint statement. The Presidents also reiterated “the importance of trade in overcoming the immediate crisis and ensuring a solid economic recovery”.
Mrs von der Leyen and Mr Michel also called on their G7 partners to join the European Union’s efforts to “act in solidarity with the most vulnerable countries and communities, particularly in Africa”.
The Commission has proposed more than 15 billion euros to help combat coronavirus worldwide, including 3.25 billion euros for Africa (see EUROPE 12464/14). The EU will also organise a donor conference on 4 May to help fund a vaccine against COVID-19 (see EUROPE 12467/8).
Furthermore, the day after the US announcement of the suspension of its funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) (see EUROPE 12467/22), the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borell, made a commitment to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus to work towards mobilising additional resources. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)