Frances Fitzgerald, MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, recently outlined the European Union’s response to the coronavirus emergency.
“There is no doubt that the EU’s initial response to the coronavirus was not good enough. The urgency was not there when Italy was battling the virus alone and there was little co-ordination between member states in how lockdown measures were implemented. Member states began to look inwards instead of extending the hand of friendship.”
“Following some of these early mistakes, the European Union has since stepped up and put its full weight behind a strong response to the crisis and has taken wide-ranging measures to help its citizens fight the virus. EU leaders have agreed to an extraordinary €540 billion package to help all countries affected. The European Central Bank has launched a €750 billion pandemic support programme and the European Investment Bank is providing a €200 billion support package for SME’s. The EU has also led a massive global funding drive that raised almost €7.5 billion to help find a vaccine” said Ms. Fitzgerald.
“The EU is keeping our borders safe and secure and are maintaining the integrity of the single market by creating ‘Green Lanes’ to remove blockages and keep all supply chains open – helping to keep our supermarket shelves full, medicines available and exports going.” “We have helped bring 530,000 EU citizens home from around the globe – over 5,000 of which have been Irish citizens, thus enabling them to reunite with their families.” “We have also established the first ever EU stockpile of medical equipment, including intensive care equipment like ventilators, personal protective equipment, vaccines, therapeutics and lab supplies.” “And more support is coming. EU leaders have prepared the ground for a massive recovery fund to help Europe get back up and running.”
Ms. Fitzgerald concluded by saying “Now more than ever, we need to speak up for Europe at this time of crisis. Now more than ever, we need to speak up for the solidarity that the EU was built on. Now more than ever, we need to work together to build a road to recovery for Europe.”
