David SASSOLI, EP President, makes a statement following the declaration of Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC.

Brussels

statement

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

Coronavirus outbreak (T)

Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President on measures to combat the Covid-19

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, The European Union is taking steps. We had no doubts that it would. Not since the end of the Second World War, have we faced such a dramatic crisis for us Europeans. The situation is so serious that no European government could think of responding to this crisis alone.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, The package of measures put forward by the European Commission to fight coronavirus goes in the right direction. All European countries will receive support for their health systems. This means the supply of materials, support to hospitals and financing research to develop a vaccine as soon as possible. The first priority is tsaving human lives.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, The other commitment is to protect jobs, businesses and the economy. To do this enough with austerity. Countries are authorised to spend everything that is necessary to guarantee support for employees, self-employed workers, business, and banks.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, In addition to the commitments made by the member States, at least 37 billion euro is ready and available from the Union budget. It is important to emphasize that governments will be able to use all the flexibility provided by the Stability and Growth Pact and that state aid will be allowed for sectors and businesses affected by the crisis.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Now the Council and the Parliament must approve these first proposals. I can assure you that Parliament will do this as soon as possible. To save our countries, we must make the European Union work. And of course we should do more. Today, the watchword for Europe is solidarity. No one will be left alone and no one will act alone.