Managing the risks of the Covid-19 pandemic remains a challenge. While EU vaccination rates have reached three quarters of the population, new SARS-CoV-2 variants keep emerging in the EU. Although these variants appear to be generally less severe, they still pose challenges to health systems. The implementation of a globally effective vaccine strategy remains key to enhancing Europe's resilience. If measures are successful, it is expected that SARS-CoV-19 – while still present – will enter a stage of seasonality, characterised by higher case numbers in the winter months, similarly to the flu. To achieve this, rethinking present surveillance and monitoring schemes, ensuring the distribution of vaccines worldwide and implementing an action plan against disinformation and misinformation could be crucial.

EPRS STOA podcast - Responding better to future pandemics

The growing importance of global supply chains has fundamentally changed the way the global economy and goods manufacturing are organised. While trade conducted through global supply chains has fallen somewhat as a share of total trade since the 2008-2010 global financial and economic crisis, more than two-thirds of international trade still involves transactions made possible by such chains. In this podcast, we’ll focus on global supply chains. We’ll analyse how dependent we are on them, the impact of the pandemic and what can be done –at the European and the global level- to make these chains more resilient in the future.

EPRS policy podcast - Resilience of global supply chains: Challenges and solutions

The arrival of the Covid-19 vaccines marks a turning point in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. According to estimates, coverage of at least 60 % to 75 % is needed to establish population immunity through vaccination. But, as regards Covid-19 vaccination, surveys suggest that Europeans are among the most sceptical in the world.

EPRS policy podcast - Covid-19 vaccination campaigns: The public dimension

With its recent European Green Deal framework, the EU is striving to achieve climate neutrality in its economy by 2050 and, simultaneously, bring itself on the path of recovery from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology will inevitably play a significant part in this process. However, historical experience tells us that culture and aesthetic have too had significant roles in recovery from a crises, be it war, economic recession, or an epidemic.

EPRS STOA podcast - What If Technology And Culture Combined To Boost A Green Recovery?

The pandemic has highlighted the risk involved, including for the EU, in relying heavily on external suppliers. The EU's 30 critical raw materials (CRMs) combine two characteristics: they are strategically important for its industry and economy, and there are high risks associated with securing their supply. The twin transition to a green and digital future relies particularly on the safe and diverse supply of CRMs.

EPRS policy podcast - Critical raw materials for the EU: Enablers of the green and digital recovery

The marked political shift towards greater technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy within the EU has been given further impetus with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, which disrupted global value chains and highlighted the case for a more self-sufficient EU model. Important projects of common European interest may be useful tools for creating complex new value chains that have the potential to ensure the EU's long-term competitiveness and economic growth.

EPRS policy podcast - Important projects of common European interest: Boosting EU strategic value chains

As schools re-open, employees return to work and airports get busier, thermal imaging cameras powered by artificial intelligence are proving a quick and effective way to survey large groups of people and detect high temperatures… But are they the magic bullet for COVID-19 fever detection? And what are the legal and ethical implications of such mass surveillance technology?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if AI could assist thermal imaging in fighting coronavirus?

As governments scramble to protect their populations from COVID-19 many of the personal freedoms and rights we take for granted are being –temporarily- taken away… Although certain rights enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights can be suspended in situations of emergency, an extra effort is needed to prevent abuse and protect the most vulnerable.

EPRS policy podcast - Upholding human rights in Europe during the pandemic

EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss further coordination on COVID-19, climate change, trade, security and external relations. On 11 December the leaders also meet for the Euro Summit.

They discuss the overall coordination effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including work on vaccines and testing, they aim to agree a new EU emissions reduction target for 2030, they exchange views on the trade agenda, they address security issues and in particular the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. In line with its conclusions of October 2020, the European Council come back to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and relations with Turkey. Leaders also discuss EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood.

European Council, 10-11 December 2020

Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the EU has developed a wide range of health policy responses, exemplified by the common approach to vaccines through the EU Vaccines Strategy and initiatives across a range of other policies.

A common approach to assessing infection rates in different regions made testing and quarantining much more consistent. EU Digital COVID Certificates were agreed on and implemented in record time, paving the way for the safe resumption of tourism and travel during summer, and beyond.

At the same time, the EU took decisive action to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic with funds and special economic aid for&nbsp;Member states, entreprises and citizens.

The EU Health Union is underway with&nbsp;reinforcing the mandates of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, addressing cross-border threats to health and creating a future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy. MEPs obtained better support for the EU4Health programme in the 2022 EU budget, with an additional €51 million to build up a strong Health Union and to make national health systems more resilient.

Effective coordination of national measures as well as solidarity among member states together with the importance of&nbsp;making national health systems more sustainable and resilient are the main challenges of the EU, learned from&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic.

EU's response to COVID-19

The EU’s 2021-2027 long-term budget, together with NextGenerationEU, amounts to €1.8 trillion. This unprecedented response will help repair the economic and social damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic and aid the transition towards a modern, more sustainable Europe.

The package consists of the long-term budget (the 2021-2027 MFF multiannual financial framework) of €1.074 trillion, combined with the temporary recovery instrument NextGenerationEU of €750 billion.

It was adopted by the European Parliament on 16 December 2020.

MEPs negotiated major top-ups for EU flagship programmes like Health, Horizon (Research), Erasmus+ and supported also a roadmap introducing new sources of EU revenue. This roadmap is part of the ‘Interinstitutional Agreement’, a legally binding text. In addition to the contribution made as of 2021, based on how much unrecycled plastic a country has, the roadmap includes an ETS (Emissions Trading System)-based Own Resource (from 2023, possibly linked with a carbon border adjustment mechanism). It also includes a digital levy (from 2023) and a Financial Transaction Tax-based Own Resource, as well as a financial contribution that the corporate sector must make or a new common corporate tax base (from 2026).

Parliament also approved in its February 2024 session, the revision of the EU’s long-term budget.

This includes the €50 billion Ukraine Facility and the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP), which aims to make the EU more strategically independent and to foster innovation. It also enables the EU budget to respond more effectively to evolving needs and unforeseen circumstances. In particular, it bolsters the EU’s budget to deal with migration and external challenges as well as the EU's crisis preparedness and budgetary flexibility. In line with Parliament’s demands, the revision introduces a mechanism to tackle escalating costs linked to the repayment of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan amid rising interest rates.

EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027

The EU4Health programme is a comprehensive response to the political demand to reflect the lessons learned from both the coronavirus crisis and previous health programmes.

On 28 May 2020, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a programmefor the Union's action in the field of health for the 2021-2027 period (EU4Health programme). It was announced as part of the Next Generation EU recovery instrument, aimed at countering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

EU4Health is intended to boost the EU's preparedness for major cross-border health threats and improve health systems' resilience. This should enable the EU to face not only future epidemics, but also long-term challenges such as an ageing population and inequalities in health.

EU4Health

Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future

LIBE Committee - Vote on extension of the EU Digital COVID Certificate

COVI - Special Committee on COVID-19 pandemic : lessons learned and recommendations for the future

EP Plenary Session - The EU's Role in combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World - Topical debate

LIBE Committee - Implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificate

PECH committee meeting - Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on EU fisheries and aquaculture

EP Plenary session  - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

The national recovery and resilience plans, through which the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is implemented, have a strong focus on energy, investing €88.49 billion (17.9 % of their resources) in the policy area. The European Commission proposed new REPowerEU chapters to the national recovery and resilience plans, using sums still available for RRF loans, some fresh resources and voluntary transfers from other EU instruments. The REPowerEU plan is designed to end the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the green transition. In this third and last episode of the chronicle, Alessandro D'Alfonso, the Head of the Next Generation EU Monitoring Service at the EPRS, will delve into the relevance of the Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument in the face of the ongoing energy crisis in Europe. #NextGenerationEU

EPRS - EU Recovery Instrument: Looking to the future

A major innovation in EU finances to counter the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, the Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument is already delivering concrete results and implementation is in full swing. Citizens and businesses in the EU are already experiencing tangible benefits as EU countries' GDP is also positively impacted. In this second episode of the chronicle, Alessandro D'Alfonso, the Head of the Next Generation EU Monitoring Service at the EPRS, will delve into the practical details of the implementation of the Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely. #NextGenerationEU

EPRS - EU Recovery Instrument: What to expect?

The Covid-19 pandemic left an indelible mark on Europe. While we may no longer live in lockdown or see masks everywhere, the pandemic’s impact is still being felt. Because of the far-reaching effects on our economy and society at large, the European Union's response went far beyond securing enough vaccines. The European Commission rolled out €800 billion in financial relief through the Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument. In this first episode of the chronicle, Alessandro D'Alfonso, the Head of the Next Generation EU Monitoring Service at the EPRS, will delve into the details of this historic package and what it means for the EU. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely. #NextGenerationEU

EPRS - EU Recovery Instrument: What is it?

These past years, we have become more aware of the factors affecting our ability to feed the world. Climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the unsustainability and unfairness of our global food system. Russia's unprovoked invasion of #Ukraine, a country known as the 'breadbasket of Europe', is raising fears of a global food crisis, further exacerbating existing food security challenges worldwide. Much depends on the response of the international community, including the EU, to rapidly evolving scenarios. Russia and Ukraine are key agricultural players, together exporting nearly 12 % of food calories traded globally. They are major providers of basic agro-commodities, including wheat, maize and sunflower oil, and Russia is the world's top exporter of fertilisers. The two countries combined account for one third of wheat exports. ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Food security in times of crisis

Travel restrictions and border shutdowns generated by the Covid-19 pandemic have impacted our economic and social life. Much work has been done at European level to improve reporting of data on Covid-19, and to better understand when travel restrictions become a necessary part of protecting public health. In the event of a future health emergency, the routines established and the experience gained recently will help improve the management of travel restrictions. Reform of the Schengen Treaty can make it easier to meet future challenges while at the same time making sure that those living in Europe can continue to benefit from free movement. Broader global cooperation and coordination is also important.

EPRS - The future of EU borders in times of pandemic

Members discuss on a common European status for artists, a common framework for working conditions and pan-European minimum social standards for artists and cultural workers. Statement by Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU), author of the report on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU and the vote results (Wednesday 20 October).

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: statement by Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU), rapporteur and extract from the final vote

Parliament debates on proposals for improving the social and economic situation of artists and cultural workers, who are among those hardest-hit by the pandemic. MEPs are set to call for a common European status for artists, a common framework for working conditions and pan-European minimum social standards for artists and cultural workers. The draft text MEPs will vote on lists further actions to support the sector, like facilitating cross-border mobility with dedicated programmes for young creators and innovators, possibly revised requirements on visas, taxation, and social security, and the cross-border recognition of arts-based education degrees.

The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU: MEPs debate

Parliament debates on proposals for improving the social and economic situation of artists and cultural workers, who are among those hardest-hit by the pandemic. Closing statement by the rapporteur, Monica SEMEDO (Renew, LU) and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. MEPs are set to call for a common European status for artists, a common framework for working conditions and pan-European minimum social standards for artists and cultural workers. The draft text MEPs will vote on lists further actions to support the sector, like facilitating cross-border mobility with dedicated programmes for young creators and innovators, possibly revised requirements on visas, taxation, and social security, and the cross-border recognition of arts-based education degrees.

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