The Covid-19 pandemic will again be on the agenda of the next European Council. The Heads of State or Government, who will meet in Brussels early next week, will discuss the issue on Tuesday 25 May.
While the trend in Member States is towards the gradual lifting of health restrictions, leaders are expected to call for caution in the face of the risk of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The question of how they can control this spread will also be raised.
“Ongoing work to step up vaccine production and secure adequate supply will be key”, says the draft EU Council conclusions, a copy of which was obtained by EUROPE.
‘Covid Certificate’. Discussions are also expected to focus on the resumption of travel within the EU.
The EU Council will certainly agree on the need for the rapid implementation of the ‘European Covid Certificate’, which is proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19 (see EUROPE 12723/1), to facilitate travel within the Union.
It should also welcome the agreement reached on the revision of the EU Council Recommendation on non-essential travel to the EU (see EUROPE 12722/1).
Covax. The EU’s international commitment will also be an “important point of discussion”, according to a senior EU official.
In particular, leaders will be asked at this meeting to agree to commit to the delivery of a minimum of 100 million doses of vaccine to third countries by the end of the year through the Covax Facility (see EUROPE 12695/20).
On this point, the draft conclusions suggest that the EU Council is in favour of “work to be stepped up to ensure global equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines” and “preferably through Covax”.
The proposal for 100 million doses will also have to be examined by the Commission in the light of persistent doubts about vaccinating the youngest and the use of a third dose. “The Commission will have to make sure that the sharing of these doses is feasible”, summarised the same senior official.
Still on the international front, the leaders are expected to discuss the draft international treaty on the fight against pandemics, promoted by the President of the European Council himself (see EUROPE 12689/3). Intense diplomatic preparation” is reportedly underway on the issue, which will also be on the table at the World Health Assembly - the WHO’s decision-making body - next week.
To consult the draft conclusions: https://bit.ly/2Qyqlts (Agathe Cherki)