"In order to keep our internal and external borders open, we need targeted measures that keep us safe. We need to redefine our mapping to identify high-risk areas by introducing a dark red category.
People starting in dark red areas can be asked for tests before leaving and quarantine after arrival. All non-essential travel must be highly discouraged
. "
Thus the
president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leye
n, at the end of the videoconference of EU leaders.
The European Union "is a unique epidemiological zone", continued von der Leyen, we will be able to cope with the virus and its variants "only if there are targeted measures and not blanket border closures", which would affect our internal market .
While reiterating the need to "leave open the internal borders of the EU to the benefit of the internal market," the
European Council President, Charles Michel
added that in the face of variations of Covid "can be provided
for travel restrictions on non-essential
."
As for the hypothesis of
medical passports for travel
, von der Leyen explained that "some things must be distinguished, the first is a simple documentation that is of a medical nature and the second instead has implications that must be taken into account" with " also political implications "and a whole series of variants including" respect for the rights and personal data of individuals ".
"When the time is right we will need a broad discussion among member states on possible uses of the certificate," he added. Michel stated that
"only at a later stage will we be able to see if and under what circumstances vaccine certificates can be used.
. We are extremely cautious on this issue. "
"The
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis
, together with the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, raised the issue of the need to
accelerate with the licensing of candidate vaccines
that are in the final evaluation phase by the European Medicines Agency (Ema), such as that of the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca ”.
A note from the Greek delegation reads.
"Mitsotakis - he explained - made it clear that the initiative does not aim at exerting political pressure on the EMA, but at
overcoming bureaucratic procedures
, which delay decisions based on tangible scientific data".
"The Greek premier - he adds - also underlined the need to fully respect the deliveries planned and agreed with the pharmaceutical companies for the first quarter of this year, underlining that in the fight against Covid there is no time to waste".
"I expect AstraZeneca's vaccine to be approved by next week at the latest,"
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz
tweeted
. "Everyone agreed that vaccines should be given as soon as possible," he added.
In addition, EU member states unanimously approved a Council Recommendation establishing a common framework for the
use of rapid antigen tests and mutual recognition of Covid-19 test results across the European Union
.
It is a central tool to help mitigate the spread of the virus and contribute to the smooth functioning of the internal market.
The Council recommendation referred to was agreed through a written procedure and not linked to the videoconference of EU leaders.
This was reported by well-informed sources in Brussels.