This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Commissioner Thierry Breton/ Pauline Weinzierl, 28/04/2020'.




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.