Austria's Chancellor Kurz confirmed negotiations on the Russian vaccine - and threatens to block 100 million Biontech vaccine doses for the EU.
Vienna - Austria could become the second EU country after Hungary in which the Russian Corona * vaccine Sputnik V is vaccinated.
As the office of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced to the AFP news agency on Tuesday, negotiations about the delivery of one million vaccine doses had already started last Friday.
Corona in Austria: Kurz orders a million Sputnik cans - and threatens the EU with a delivery blockade
Accordingly, the delivery of 300,000 doses in April, 500,000 doses in May and 200,000 doses in June should be completed, even if the vaccine has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Kurz hopes that the additional vaccine * will "return to normal earlier" and "save many lives and jobs".
The Chancellor already spoke at the end of last month about a “joint production” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The reason for the alliance is the alleged disadvantage of Austria in terms of distribution.
As
Focus
reports
with reference to the
Politico
portal
, Austria is also demanding additional vaccination doses from the EU.
If these are not delivered, the government has threatened to block the delivery of 100 million Biontech / Pfizer cans * for the second quarter of 2021.
The portal refers to three EU diplomats.
Corona in Austria: Astrazeneca problems cause gaps - Kurz calls for a larger share than agreed
Given the difficulties surrounding the Astrazeneca vaccine, some governments are now having to reschedule.
For example, Austria initially ordered fewer vaccines from the manufacturer Johnson & Johnson than the country would have admitted, which is why there are now fears of loopholes.
Due to the upper limit of the Ministry of Finance of 200 million euros in the first period of vaccine procurement, the deliveries from Biontech also did not use the full available capacity.
The gaps in the second quarter are now to be filled with ten million vaccine doses from Biontech / Pfizer, which were actually part of the delivery of 100 million doses for the second half of the year.
The EU has an option for this quota, but this has been a matter of dispute within the member states for some time.
The EU ambassadors will meet on Wednesday.
Now, however, the Austrian government wants a larger share of the Biontech cans than agreed, on the other hand, the government would be forced to take a tough step.
Kurz is said to have threatened to block the commission on the purchase of the delivery should Austria not receive an additional vaccine.
Corona in Austria: Six EU countries complain about vaccine distribution
In addition to Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic also complain about an unjust distribution of vaccination doses within the EU, although this is related to the size of the population.
Kurz is now hoping, together with the other claimants, for additional vaccine doses and thus for a quick solution in order to be able to “act quickly” on a contract for the additional 100 million Pfizer doses, according to a government representative.
Like Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic started negotiations on additional vaccine deliveries to complement the EU vaccine agreements.
As the EU Commission made clear, the negotiations between the countries are “their responsibility”.
The Russian vaccine is also not an issue for the European Union.
(ajr) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
