EU cooperation and solidarity:
Ref. Ares(2020)2275198 - 28/04/2020
Ref. Ares(2021)3442235 - 25/05/2021
the most effective strategy to tackle COVID-19
As the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues,
How EU action is making a real difference
the EU institutions and the Member States are taking
unprecedented measures to protect citizens and
By proposing its Green Lane scheme, the EU has
reduced
safeguard the economy. The EU’s initiatives to coordinate
disruptions to border crossings within the EU for freight
efforts across Europe are critical to a successful response.
carrying medical supplies. Waiting time for essential
Only with cooperation and solidarity can we overcome an
goods for border checks within the Single Market has
emergency of the scale of COVID-19.
been reduced to 15 minutes.
Thanks to joint procurement procedures, the EU has
created a
common stockpile of essential medical
supplies, to meet Member States’ ongoing needs.
By setting up a clearing house, the EU is able to swiftly
match private sector proposals for supply of equipment
with Member State demand.
By temporarily relaxing state aid rules and waiving debt
and budgetary requirements, the EU has empowered
Member States to take
extraordinary fiscal measures to
save their companies and support the livelihood of their
citizens.
In a true spirit of solidarity,
Member States are helping
each other by dispatching medical personnel, treating
patients from other countries and providing medical
supplies to the regions that are affected the most.
There are many more examples of EU action: learn more about the EU response on our
COVID-19 portal.