On Monday 8 June, the European Development Ministers discussed, via videoconference, the implementation of EU aid to vulnerable countries as part of its global response to the coronavirus crisis.
No press conference was held after the exchange, but a communiqué said ministers welcomed the mobilisation of some €36 billion in concrete projects to address the devastating effects of the Covid-19 crisis in the EU's developing partner countries and regions.
In its conclusions, the EU Council stresses the urgent need to protect the lives and livelihoods of all by leaving no one behind (in the language of the universal sustainable development agenda) and to give priority to partner countries most in need, on the basis of a joint needs assessment.
The EU Council also stresses the need to ensure a link with the programming of medium and long-term aid.
According to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell, the Director of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is quoted as saying in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic that "while the situation is improving in Europe, it is worsening globally. 136,000 new cases were reported yesterday (7 June), the highest figures ever recorded". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)