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Cooperation in the corona crisis: G20 summit and EU conference - Merkel with audio statement

2020-03-27T05:18:47.255Z


In a G20 summit and at European level, states voted on Thursday on joint measures against the Corona crisis. Angela Merkel reports on the results.


In a G20 summit and at European level, states voted on Thursday on joint measures against the Corona crisis. Angela Merkel reports on the results.

  • The corona virus spreads worldwide.
  • The G20 countries and the European Council agreed in conferences.
  • Chancellor Angela Merkel reports on the results in an audio statement.
  • Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus. You can also find current case numbers in Germany as a map.

Berlin - The coronavirus * is spreading worldwide. So far, many states have reacted on their own - for example by closing the borders. Now the politicians want to coordinate better . Both at European level and the G20 of the leading economic powers discussed joint measures on Thursday (March 26). Angela Merkel reports on the results in an audio statement on Thursday evening.

Statement and press conference by Chancellor #Merkel after the video conferences of the # G20 and the European Council on # COVID19. Audio livestream shortly at: https://t.co/omiyXjxW9S. #EUCO # G20virtualsummit pic.twitter.com/53YcKKraRL

- Steffen Seibert (@RegSprecher) March 26, 2020

After the G20 states (results below in an overview), the EU heads of state and government had agreed on a further course of action in the Corona crisis in the evening after laborious negotiations. There is agreement, several diplomats from the AFP news agency agreed on Thursday evening. Earlier, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had threatened not to endorse a joint statement because, in his opinion, it did not go far enough to support the economic consequences of the crisis.

Coronavirus G20 Summit: Joint Action Against Economic Crisis

The G20 of the leading economic powers wants to fight against the corona crisis and initially support the global economy with a total of five trillion US dollars. At a video summit, the heads of state and government agreed on Thursday to develop concrete packages of measures to contain the pandemic and mitigate the economic consequences. "We are firmly committed to countering this common threat," it said in its final declaration.

Together with the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international organizations, "all necessary steps will be taken to overcome this pandemic". No effort will be spared to protect lives and secure jobs and income.

+

Chancellor Angela Merkel (top left) and other European heads of state and government, as well as members of the European Council, can be seen on the screen during a video conference in the Elysee Palace in Paris.

© dpa / Ian Langsdon

Saudi King Salman, whose country holds the G20 presidency this year, had invited to the video summit. The group of states brings together two thirds of the world's population, 85 percent of global economic output and 75 percent of world trade. The United States, China and Russia are among them. For Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel participated in the video switch.

Corona G20 Summit: an overview of the most important results

The main results of the summit:

- FIGHTING THE CURRENT PANDEMY: The G20 are committed to the exchange of epidemiological data and the materials necessary for research and development. The production of medical goods is to be expanded. The G20 health ministers are to work out a package of measures to combat the pandemic by April.

- PREVENTION: Expenses for epidemic preparedness are to be increased substantially. "We are also committed to working together to promote research and development in the field of vaccines and medicines, to use digital technologies more effectively and to intensify international scientific cooperation," the statement said.

- PROTECTING THE WORLD ECONOMY: According to the statement, the G20 countries have already budgeted five trillion US dollars to support the global economy. "We will continue to provide ambitious and extensive fiscal support," the final document said. The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors are now to draw up a G20 action plan.

- HELP FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: Developing countries, especially those in Africa, should be supported in coping with the crisis. "We see strengthening health protection in Africa as crucial for the resilience of global health," the statement said.

Corona Summit: G20 do not adopt specific measures

Even if the G20 has not yet decided on any specific measures, the joint expression of willingness to work together is already a success. Because the consultations took place under unfavorable circumstances. The two most powerful members of the G20 - the United States and China - had blamed each other for the spread of the corona virus in the past few weeks. US President Donald Trump spoke several times about the "Chinese virus", while the spokesman for the Chinese State Department speculated that a member of the US military might have brought the disease into China.

A joint statement by the G7 foreign ministers failed on Wednesday because the US wanted to include the term "Wuhan virus" in it. The G7 belong to the USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy.

Video: Current corona numbers

G20 summit: ideas for measures collected

The G20 now wants to work on concrete measures in different formats. Ideas for this have already been expressed in the counter.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin called for international sanctions to be suspended on important goods during the pandemic. He spoke of "green corridors" for the delivery of medicines, food, technology and equipment - regardless of sanctions and trade wars. Russia is suffering from punitive measures by the United States, the EU and other countries for the Ukraine conflict.

Corona measures: EU wants to organize donor conference for vaccine funding

- The European Union wants to collect money worldwide for the development and manufacture of a Covid-19 vaccine. Europe is ready to organize an international donor conference on the Internet for the necessary funding, said EU Council leader Charles Michel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

- Argentine President Alberto Fernández spoke in favor of establishing a global emergency fund to combat the corona crisis. "We are faced with the dilemma of protecting our economy or human health," said the head of state in der Schalte.

At the conference, Saudi King Salman called for the international community to act together. "We are sure that we will get through this crisis together," said the 84-year-old. "This human crisis requires a global response."

Meanwhile, Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder commented on a possible end to the exit restrictions.

dpa / afp / rjs

* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-03-27

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