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

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

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 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 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

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?

The coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on our lives, our economies, our societies but also on electoral processes around the world, with many elections being postponed in order to protect citizens’ health. But this involves a delicate balancing act between ensuring the democratic right to vote and a government’s responsibility to protect public health. So, what can we learn from experience?

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of the pandemic on elections around the world: From safety concerns to political crises

As more and more European countries went into lockdown, trade within the EU and the foundations of its single market were hit hard! The EU was quick to respond, but the effects of the pandemic on both European and world economies will be deep and long-lasting…

EPRS policy podcast - Single market and the pandemic: Impacts, EU action and recovery

The coronavirus pandemic forced most of the world’s population into lockdown… But thanks to digital technologies, we were mostly able to keep on working, studying, shopping and chatting with our loved ones without leaving our homes! But the crisis has also highlighted some painful truths about our digital world…

EPRS policy podcast - How digital technology is easing the burden of confinement

The coronavirus crisis has made life even more difficult for the most deprived people in our society… To protect them, as well the workers and volunteers delivering aid to them, and ensure no one falls through the net, the EU has had to take some exceptional measures…

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of coronavirus on EU aid to the most deprived

The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the EU’s dependency on countries outside its borders for the production of many active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines. It is not a new problem… but it has become painfully exposed in the past weeks. So, why is that? And what can the EU do about it? Never a debate has been timelier!

EPRS policy podcast - Addressing shortages of medicines

As COVID-19 has proved once again, diseases do not recognise borders… So, with labs around the world on the race to find a vaccine, it is time to ask ourselves the question: What can the EU do to help? Is there a European added value concerning vaccination?

EPRS policy podcast - Towards a joint European approach on vaccination

Apart from taking thousands of lives… COVID-19 has revealed one hard truth: the EU’s dependency on other countries for essential medical equipment such as protective masks and gloves, but also respiratory ventilators. The EU and its Member States have acted swiftly to counter these shortages… but Europe may need to re-think its production and trade priorities if it doesn’t want to find itself in the same situation when the next pandemic strikes!

EPRS policy podcast - EU imports and exports of medical equipment

Despite the Commission’s assurances that the long-term work on the European Green Deal will continue in parallel to the coronavirus firefighting… the COVID-19 emergency and the need to deal with its socio-economic consequences is raising concerns that decarbonisation strategies could be derailed… But is this a real threat or could it also be an opportunity? There’s no lack of voices arguing that green investments need to play a central role in any economic recovery plan.

EPRS policy podcast - European Green Deal Investment Plan: Main elements and possible impact of the coronavirus 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

COVID-19 originated in Wuhan in the Hubei Province of China. It has since spread beyond Asia and there is a rising number of people infected with COVID-19 in EU Member States.

The outbreak of the Coronavirus (Corona) has led WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern.

Coronavirus outbreak

The EU Heads of state or government of the Member States will meet via video conference&nbsp; on 19 June 2020 and look at a number of the most pressing issues.&nbsp;

They will discuss the issue of a recovery fund to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and a new EU long term budget.&nbsp; The proposal for a new recovery instrument and for the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 presented by the European Commission on 27 May 2020 will be at the heart of the discussion. The EU leaders' discussion will serve as a thorough preparation for a summit at a later date which, if possible, will be a physical meeting.

European Council, 19 June 2020

Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe package (REACT-EU) is an initiative that continues and extends the EU response to the coronavirus crisis and crisis repair measures.

On 18 November 2020, the European Parliament and the Council concluded negotiations on providing assistance to foster crisis repair in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its social consequences, and preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the EU economy.

REACT-EU will provide €47,5 billion over the next two years. The resources will be made available through the EU Structural Funds, with €37.5 billion allocated for 2021 and €10 billion for 2022.

Resources will be allocated in accordance with the partnership principle, involving local and regional authorities, as well as relevant bodies representing civil society and social partners.

REACT-EU

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

There have been five multiannual financial frameworks (MFFs) to date. The Treaty of Lisbon transformed the MFF from an interinstitutional agreement into a legally binding act. Established for a period of at least five years, an MFF must ensure that the Union’s expenditure develops in an orderly manner and within the limits of its own resources, and sets out provisions with which the annual budget of the Union must comply, thus laying the cornerstone of financial discipline.

After almost five days of negotiations, the European Council finally reached a political agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021 to 2027 and a specific recovery instrument following the coronavirus crisis – Next Generation EU (NGEU) – together totalling €1 824.3 billion. Before the MFF can enter into force, the Parliament must give its consent, which is also a pre-condition for the adoption, by co-decision, of legislation on the new policy programmes.

EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and recovery plan (2019-2020)

The shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic affects everyone. However, there are big differences in the extent of the harm caused, and the long-term development of the pandemic and associated crises are highly uncertain.

Inequalities have been on the rise, particularly in case of certain vulnerable groups, those who remained all the time at work, but often had low income: health workers, grocery store workers, delivery workers, Amazon factory workers, or street cleaners, among others. Lower income individuals run greater health risks, and many of them are women.

Not all work is suited to transition to teleworking. This is particularly the case for precarious workers. Other factors have also contributed to the increase of social divides across generations and regions. Beside the closure of businesses, school closures have put enormous pressure on families. Aspects of this situation may cause lifelong harm, such in the case of the youngest children who might never recuperate the benefits for their personal development and social integration, school children who miss the opportunity to learn foundational lifelong skills, and those secondary school students who were about to take their exams.

The pandemic has also deeply affected quality of life, including mental wellbeing, trust and employment prospects. Finally, many households have been facing the prospect of falling into poverty due to a drop in their income linked to the coronavirus crisis and their limited resources to cope with the financial shocks.

Concrete measures the EU took to support the economic recovery are: the EU's recovery plan, Next Generation EU, SURE: temporary support for workers, amendments to the EU budget to address urgent issues,re-direction of EU funds to help member states most in need, support to most affected sectors

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on social life (2020)

The EU provides additional financial support to Member States to protect jobs and workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The European Central Bank is providing €750 billion to relieve government debt during the crisis, as well as €120 billion in quantitative easing and €20 billion in debt purchases. In addition, MEPs voted to make €37 billion from existing EU structural funds available to EU countries to tackle the coronavirus crisis and support healthcare, businesses and workers.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, presents a revised long-term EU budget (MFF 2021-2027) and recovery plan during a plenary session. MEPs discuss the proposals, but have already called for a €2 trillion recovery package to help the EU bounce back from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on economic situation (2020)

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has put European health systems under enormous strain, revealing gaps in the way public health emergencies are addressed however Parliament has consistently promoted a coherent EU public health policy.

The European Commission's proposal for a new EU Health programme, EU4Health, aims to fill these gaps. EU4Health's three main priorities are: tackling cross-border health threats; making medicines available and affordable; and strengthening health systems.

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on health (2020)

Vaccines are a key part of a long-term strategy to bring SARS-CoV-2 under control. It is essential to roll out vaccination rapidly to protect as many people as possible and to lower the opportunities for the virus to evolve further. Any vaccine must be authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The European Commission has secured up to 4.4 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far - and negotiations are underway for additional doses. However, countries are facing different challenges around the disinformation or vaccine acceptance. The European Parliament is trying to keep an eye on the purchase and safety of these vaccines. During June plenary the EP adopted a resolution calling for COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver. Parliament proposed negotiations start for a temporary waiver of the WTO TRIPS Agreement on patents to improve global access to affordable COVID-19-related medical products and to address global production constraints and supply shortages. The EP approved also the Digital Green Certificate to facilitate the safe free movement of citizens within the EU during the pandemic.

EU Vaccine Strategy

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has put European health systems under enormous strain, revealing gaps in the way public health emergencies are addressed. The European Parliament has consistently promoted a coherent EU public health policy.

The pandemic shows the importance of coordination among European countries to protect people’s health, both during a crisis and in normal times when we can tackle underlying health conditions, invest in strong health systems and train healthcare workers.

The European Commission's proposal for a new EU Health programme, EU4Health, aims to fill these gaps. EU4Health's three main priorities are: tackling cross-border health threats; making medicines available and affordable; and strengthening health systems.

With EU4Health, the EU will invest €5.3 billion in current prices in actions with an EU added value.

EU4Health will pave the way to a European Health Union by investing in urgent health priorities: the response to the COVID-19 crisis and reinforcing the EU’s resilience to cross-border health threats, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe.

The European Health Union will improve EU-level protection, prevention, preparedness and response to human health hazards.

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on health

EU leaders met in Brussels in March to discuss the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Single Market, industrial policy, digital transformation and the economy, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, and relations with Russia.

They took stock of the roll-out of vaccines and the epidemiological situation and pursued the coordinated response to the pandemic crisis. They discussed the key priorities for the single market, industrial policy and the digital transformation. The High Representative and the Commission submitted a report on EU-Turkey relations ahead of the meeting, following the conclusions of the European Council in December 2020. The EU leaders held a strategic debate on the relations with Russia. The European Parliament discussed the outcome of the EU Council and of EU and Turkey meeting during April plenary session.

European Council, 25-26 March 2021

On 23 April 2020 EU leaders discussed progress on the various dimensions of the European response to the COVID-19 outbreak. It was the fourth video meeting of this kind.

Leaders welcomed a European roadmap towards lifting COVID-19 containment measures, presented by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on 15 April. They also discussed a Roadmap for recovery; safety nets for workers, businesses and sovereigns; the Recovery fund and Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); illegal drilling in Cyprus; and they scheduled a video meeting with Western Balkans on 6 May.

Extraordinary European Council, 23 April 2020

The coronavirus crisis is a major shock for the European and global economies. Member States have already adopted budgetary, liquidity and policy measures to increase the capacity of their health systems and provide relief to those citizens and sectors that are particularly impacted.

Among the measures the EU is taking to support the economic recovery are the EU's recovery plan, Next Generation EU, SURE: temporary support for workers, amendments to the EU budget to address urgent issues, re-direction of EU funds to help member states most in need, support to most affected sectors.

On 21 July 2020, EU leaders agreed on a €750 billion recovery effort, Next Generation EU, to help the EU tackle the crisis caused by the pandemic. Alongside the recovery package, EU leaders agreed on a €1 074.3 billion long-term EU budget for 2021-2027. Among others, the budget will support investment in the digital and green transitions and resilience.

Together with the €540 billion of funds already in place for the three safety nets (for workers, for businesses and for member states), the overall EU's recovery package amounts to €2 364.3 billion (source: Council).

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on economic situation

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

EP Plenary session - Reversing the negative social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

EP Plenary session Joint debate - Impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the aviation

EP Plenary session - State of play of the implementation of the EU Digital Covid Certificate regulations

ENVI Committee - Drawing the early lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Press conference - EU Digital COVID certificate

EP Plenary session - Joint debate EU Digital COVID Certificate 44-45

EU Digital Covid Certificate - Freedom of movement, safely.

EU Digital COVID certificate

Press conference - EU COVID-19 certificate

EP Plenary session - The importance of civil justice for the economic recovery post COVID-19

This Infoclip illustrates: people cheering medical staff in solidarity from their balconies, and messages of solidarity support hanging from balconies in Belgium.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Solidarity cheer for medical staff

David SASSOLI, EP President, and the leaders of the political groups (Conference of Presidents) discuss by visio conference Parliament’s activities for the next days, including legislative and budgetary files linked to the EU response to the pandemic, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents with the presence of David SASSOLI, EP President

This video presents general views of Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the Corona virus outbreak; repatriation of EU tourists to Frankfurt, Germany and to Paris-CDG, France.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Argentina

This video presents exterior and interior views of the International Tunis-Carthage Airport in Tunisia with EU citizens returning home during the coronavirus outbreak.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Tunisia

David SASSOLI, EP President makes a statement in the European Parliament in Brussels, on the situation in Hungary after Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister, has been granted sweeping new powers to manage the country’s coronavirus epidemic. Courtesy of RAI - TG3. ©RAI

Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President, on the situation in Hungary in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak

Illustrative footage shots in Brussels, Belgium 1 April, 2020. Footage shows people wearing face masks in supermarket queues respecting security distance; a closed pharmacy with a poster saying it is out of masks and disinfectant; non-essential shops such as a closed furniture store and a closed DIY shop; shots of a public information campaign on Covid-19.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Supermarket queues with security distance

In front of the European Parliament in Brussels, EU and Italian flags are set at half-mast out of solidarity with the families of the victims of COVID19, with the Italian people and their authorities who decided to lower all Italian flags to half-mast on 31 of March, in front of all official buildings.

EU and Italian flags at half-mast out of solidarity with the families of the victims of COVID19, with the Italian people and their authorities

This video presents views of several regions of France; airports, train stations, hospitals with views of empty streets due to containment.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - France

This video presents views of Tallinn, Estonia; its harbour and airport with the repatriation of Estonian citizens by the Estonian government.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Estonia

This video presents general views of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava, Slovakia, during the Corona virus outbreak

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Slovakia

This video presents general views of Ljubljana, Slovenia, during the Coronavirus outbreak (Covid 19); empty train station and airport, people queuing outside of supermarket and pharmacy from a security distance, views of an army field hospital ready to intervene if the situation requires it, and sanitary controls at the borders with Italy.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Slovenia

This video presents general views of Lisbon and Queluz, Portugal, during the Coronavirus (Covid 19) outbreak; general views of the city of Lisbon and its airport, and views of a group of beer producers transforming disinfectant into Antibacterial gel for free distribution to firefighters, hospitals and police forces in Queluz.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Portugal

This video presents views of Berlin, in Germany; its empty streets, its airport with poeple returning, the supermarkets with empty shelves.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Germany

This video presents views of Madrid, Spain; its empty streets, its airport with poeple waiting, the supermarkets and the hospitals.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Spain

This video presents general views of Brussels Airport, Belgium, during the Coronavirus (Covid 19) outbreak; empty departure hall, passengers with gloves and masks and planes parked on the tarmac.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Belgium

This video presents views of Stockholm, in Sweden; its empty streets, its solidarity with old people, the teleworking of some employees and the making of hand sanitiser.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Sweden

This video presents general views of Milan, Cremona, Bergamo, and Perugia in Italy, during the Coronavirus outbreak (Covid 19); empty parks and children playgrounds, desert subway stations and airport, queues at supermarkets and pharmacies, protective masks manufacturing, as well as hospital emergency services.

Infoclip: Coronavirus - Italy

The European Parliament holds an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to debate and vote on the first three proposals from the European Commission to tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in EU member states. These proposals concern the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative, legislation extending the scope of the EU Solidarity Fund to cover public health emergencies and a new law stopping the so-called ghost flights caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Measures have been adopted for this session to ensure that votes can be organised remotely.

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