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EU leaders discuss measures to limit spread of COVID-19

Government Communications Department
Publication date 29.10.2020 23.29 | Published in English on 30.10.2020 at 10.35
Press release 690/2020
Kuva: EU

On Thursday 29 October, the members of the European Council discussed ways to intensify joint efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, the EU leaders’ discussion focused in particular on issues related to testing and vaccines. At the start of the meeting, the EU leaders strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in France.

The members of the European Council noted that the disease situation is once again deteriorating rapidly. As a rule, measures to limit the spread of the pandemic are the responsibility of the individual Member States. That said, close coordination of measures and an effective exchange of information play an integral role in thwarting the pandemic, which affects all Member States.  

“Cooperation in the development of rapid tests is a good example of what we can do within the framework of the EU to improve citizens’ safety. In terms of joint EU measures, the mutual recognition of tests and the harmonisation of testing practices would also be important,” said Prime Minister Sanna Marin

During their videoconference, the Council members also discussed the EU’s joint projects to obtain a vaccine. The EU leaders affirmed that it is the responsibility of the Member States to decide on the vaccination of population groups, which means that the Member States must draw up national vaccination strategies before vaccines can be deployed. 

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

 
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