The Council of the EU is expected to adopt, later this week, conclusions on the EU’s global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with a view to reinforcing the ‘Team Europe’ approach as a triple instrument - a collective way of working, a banner of solidarity with vulnerable countries and a reflection of the multilateralism that the EU advocates - with the UN at its centre - to foster a ‘green’ and sustainable recovery and a global approach to health.
Launched last week, the written procedure for the adoption of the text, which has been agreed by the EU27 ambassadors, will end on Friday 23 April.
According to the draft conclusions seen by EUROPE, Team Europe contributes to demonstrating the EU’s leadership, responsibility and solidarity at the global level. The EU Council had already highlighted this last June and November (see EUROPE 12501/5, 12603/2).
The text specifies that all members of Team Europe (EU, Member States, their diplomatic network, financial institutions, EIB, EBRD) work together in a coordinated way to support partner countries.
It emphasises that information sharing, close consultation, coordination and flexibility on the part of all are essential for joint actions to have a lasting impact. “This is also an essential part of the EU’s external action”, the draft conclusions state.
The EU Council underlines the importance of supporting partner countries in their efforts to better align their policies with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
To take into account the interrelationships between humans and the environment, the text also stresses the need to preserve the world’s biodiversity and forests, promote sustainable use of land and oceans, and encourages the use of global approaches such as ‘One Health’.
The EU Council underlines the importance of cooperation and coordination with multilateral institutions in response to the Covid-19 crisis, in particular within the UN system and the international financial institutions.
It states that the EU and its Member States are committed to pursuing international debt relief efforts in a coordinated manner within multilateral frameworks such as the IMF, the World Bank and the G20/Paris Club initiatives.
According to the draft conclusions, “Team Europe is committed to improving global health in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond”.
The text emphasises, among other things, universal and equitable access to vaccines and the EU’s role in the Covax Facility. “Strengthening health and water and sanitation systems, preparing for and responding to epidemics, and promoting comprehensive and inclusive approaches to public health are key priorities”, the draft conclusions state.
The EU Council invites all Team Europe members to increase the visibility of their common commitment.
The text insists on the necessary coherence between Team Europe initiatives and the joint programming of funds. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)