Exceptional meeting in Brussels. In the midst of a health crisis and in the aftermath of the ECB's announcements, the position of the European Commission was eagerly awaited on Friday, March 13. " The coronavirus pandemic " is " a major shock to the economy ", recognized in the introduction the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Faced with this, she launched a message of union to the Member States: " The European Union (EU) must be determined, coordinated, and united (...) I am convinced that we can get out of this shock ", said -she throws.
Read also: Coronavirus: assessment, symptoms, treatments ... All the answers to your questions about the Covid-19 epidemic
However, it notes, as Emmanuel Macron had announced, " that we are only at the beginning of the epidemic ". " We must all know that it is not possible to stop the virus but we can slow its spread, " continued the President of the Commission. It then ensures all the support of the European institution to the member countries, through " maximum flexibility " in the application of budgetary rules. A promise which aims to " encourage them to take all the necessary measures, whether in transport, tourism or trade, for example ". " The EU will be flexible in applying the Stability and Growth Pact (…) and we will do whatever is necessary, " she said.
Banks are stronger and more resilient than in 2008
Margrethe VestagerIn this sense, the Commission will allocate 37 billion euros to the fight against the coronavirus, added Ursula von der Leyen. The EU will also add a guarantee to eight billion euros in loans to more than 100,000 European companies. " This shock is temporary but it must be as short and as contained as possible, " she added.
On the subject of borders, Ursula von der Leyen warned about closures. " General travel bans are not considered to be very effective by the World Health Organization ," she said, preferring more effective sanitary controls. " The single market must work and the states must not take a unilateral decision ", slices the head of the European executive.
For her part, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager, repeated the formulas of union " which Europe needs ". Various measures to support the economy will be taken, in particular to compensate for the damage suffered by companies in the most affected sectors, including tourism, hotels, catering and events, she also said. In addition, she wanted to reassure, certifying that " the banks are stronger and resilient than in 2008 ".
