The EU Ministers for European Affairs discuss the opportunities for coping with the consequences of COVID-19
01 December 2020 News
The EU Ministers for European Affairs discussed the measures to control the coronavirus pandemic at an informal meeting of the General Affairs Council. Bulgaria was represented at the videoconference GAC meeting by Mr. Petko Doykov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He stated in the discussion that the coordinated action to combat the coronavirus in the EU had to be based on a common understanding and scientific approach and, at the same time, to be flexible enough with regard to the individual Member States so as to avoid unjustified or disproportionate restrictions of free movement.
„Bulgaria appreciates the joint efforts within the EU framework and urges for future actions based on the implementation of common standards. This is the only way in which each Member State will undertake the necessary measures, depending on its competences and capacity“, said Deputy Minister Doykov. He noted that Member States had responsibility at the national and EU level for the decisions influencing health, wellbeing and human rights. In that respect, Bulgaria welcomed the European Commission’s recommendation on the use of rapid antigen tests for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection that provided sufficient flexibility for Member States.
„We have to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine will be safe and accessible to all and, at the same time, to succeed in preserving the regulatory framework underlying the confidence in the system. Transparency and the response to the real needs of Member States will be appreciated“, said Mr. Doykov. The Ministers discussed also the preparation of the Conference on the Future of Europe which had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany confirmed the preparedness of the German Presidency to work on the drafting of a joint declaration outlining the priorities and objectives related to the debates on the future of the old continent. The German Presidency expressed its hope that the following GAC meeting would give a green light to the start of the Conference at which the consequences of the pandemic and topics of the EU strategic agenda would be discussed.