16/11/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 13 November the European Parliament confirmed the draft report, as amended the previous day, on the EU4Health programme (see EUROPE 12600/6). A total of 615 MEPs voted in favour, 34 against and 39 abstained. Parliament’s approach supports the establishment of a European Health Response Mechanism to prepare the EU more effectively, as well as a European monitoring, reporting and notification system to overcome shortages of medicines and medical devices. “The reference to the regional dimension of the programme could have been more significant, but the inclusion of cross-border health corridors is a step in the right direction”, was the reaction of Nathalie Sarrabezolles, rapporteur for the Committee of the Regions. The European Parliament’s vote will now make it possible to open interinstitutional negotiations between Parliament, the Commission and the EU Council. (SPj)