Ref. Ares(2021)3772858 - 09/06/2021
Minutes of meeting with International Chamber of Commerce – 4 May 2021
Videoconference via Webex
Participants:
European Commission:
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Charmaine Hili – Member of the Cabinet President von der Leyen
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– Head of Unit, SG
International Chamber of Commerce:
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, Chief of Staff
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, AOKpass Project Manager
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, Consultant
The meeting with the International Chamber of Commerce was organised at their request to
discuss Digital Green Certificates. The International Chamber of Commerce was interested in
knowing if and how private sector could contribute to interoperable solutions, in particular to
facilitate travel with third countries. They took the opportunity of the meeting to also express
interest to contribute to discussions on how to better recognise and use skills of refugees to
contribute to the EU’s labour market needs.
Key issues discussed in relation to Digital Green certificates
The nature of the Digital Green Certificates was recalled: aim is to facilitate free movement taking
into account health/scientific developments and having a digital solution that is trustworthy and
secure. There is also a discussion on the external dimension and an amended proposal for a
recommendation restrictions to non-essential travel to the EU was presented the day before to
slowly open with third countries, for those who are vaccinated and would like to travel to the EU. In
this context it is useful to look at a model that could create harmonisation and facilitate movement
(ICAO passport for example) in order to accept vaccine certificates with a certain degree of
confidence. This is why, at an international level, work has already started with ICAO and WHO. For
the medium to long term, work starts on adequacy decisions to recognise the trust framework and
there are preliminary discussions with the US.
Asked about national certificates and their interoperability with the Digital Green Certificate, it was
explained that this issue is part of the debate and features in the amendments proposed by the
European Parliament. In its proposal, the Commission did not get into the issue of use of certificates
and this is left for Member States to determine. On the Commission’s position in relation to free
testing, it was explained that this is a matter of national competence but that the Commission will
continue supporting Member States to make sure that tests are widely and easily available as it has
done with ESI for rapid tests and the joint procurement for test.
Key issues discussed in relation to better recognise the qualifications and skills of refugees
The International Chamber of Commerce has worked on the recognition of qualifications and skills
for employees and, in this context they plan on working with companies, in particular SMEs, on the
types of skills they need and on the recognition of qualification and skills of refugees. Looked at
different approaches around the EU and worldwide, the International Chamber of commerce could
help bridge gaps and assist in providing paid opportunities for refugees who could demonstrate skills
and which could then translate in meaningful employments.
The Commission will be coming with proposals towards the end of the year to match skills and labour
market gap and use talents from refugees in this context. The whole migration debate remains on
top of the agenda, also in this time of Covid. The Commission will launch talent partnership schemes
next week.