COVID-19 measures and the EU’s ability to respond to future cross-border health threats on the agenda at the video meeting of European Council members

The 25–26 February video meeting of members of the European Council is currently under way. Prime Minister Sanna Marin is representing Finland at the meeting.

On Thursday 25 February, the European Council members discussed the current situation with regard to COVID-19 and the EU’s ability to respond to cross-border health threats in the future. In their discussions, the EU leaders stressed the importance of speeding up the production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. New virus variants must be detected quickly and vaccines must be developed to respond to them as rapidly as possible. Vaccine producers must comply with contractual timetables for the delivery of vaccines. 

The EU Member States are also committed to accelerating the supply of vaccines in the EU’s neighbouring regions and globally. The Member States continue to cooperate on developing an international vaccination certificate. 

The members of the European Council also discussed what lessons can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic so that the Union can be better prepared to respond to future health challenges.

The meeting will continue on Friday 26 February with discussions on security, defence and the Southern Neighbourhood.

Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Tuulia Pitkänen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 231, Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office