EU leaders met in Brussels in March to discuss the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Single Market, industrial policy, digital transformation and the economy, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, and relations with Russia.

They took stock of the roll-out of vaccines and the epidemiological situation and pursued the coordinated response to the pandemic crisis. They discussed the key priorities for the single market, industrial policy and the digital transformation. The High Representative and the Commission submitted a report on EU-Turkey relations ahead of the meeting, following the conclusions of the European Council in December 2020. The EU leaders held a strategic debate on the relations with Russia. The European Parliament discussed the outcome of the EU Council and of EU and Turkey meeting during April plenary session.

European Council, 25-26 March 2021

Vaccines are a key part of a long-term strategy to bring SARS-CoV-2 under control. It is essential to roll out vaccination rapidly to protect as many people as possible and to lower the opportunities for the virus to evolve further. Any vaccine must be authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The European Commission has secured up to 4.4 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far - and negotiations are underway for additional doses. However, countries are facing different challenges around the disinformation or vaccine acceptance. The European Parliament is trying to keep an eye on the purchase and safety of these vaccines. During June plenary the EP adopted a resolution calling for COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver. Parliament proposed negotiations start for a temporary waiver of the WTO TRIPS Agreement on patents to improve global access to affordable COVID-19-related medical products and to address global production constraints and supply shortages. The EP approved also the Digital Green Certificate to facilitate the safe free movement of citizens within the EU during the pandemic.

EU Vaccine Strategy

The EU Digital COVID Certificate aims to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.The certificate should&nbsp;be available in either digital or paper format. It attests that a person has been vaccinated against coronavirus or has a recent negative test result or has recovered from the infection.

&nbsp;A common EU framework is&nbsp;allowing member states to issue certificates that will then be accepted in other EU countries. The EU Digital Covid Certificate regulation should be&nbsp;in place for 12 months. The certificate should&nbsp;not be a precondition to exercise the right to free movement and is&nbsp;not&nbsp;considered a travel document.

Member states should not impose additional travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as quarantine, self-isolation or testing, “unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health”. Member states must accept vaccination certificates issued in other member states for persons inoculated with a vaccine authorised for use in the EU by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

It is&nbsp;up to the member states to decide whether they also accept vaccination certificates that have been authorised by other Member States following national authorisation procedures or for vaccines listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for emergency use. The Regulation entered&nbsp;into force on&nbsp;1 July 2021.
 Parliament and EU member states’ negotiators have agreed to keep the EU Digital COVID Certificate framework in place for another year, until June 2023

EU Digital COVID certificate

Horizon Europe is the framework programme for research and innovation.

In the 2021-2027 period, Horizon Europe will have a total budget allocation of of €95.517 billion (in current prices), which equals €84.9 billion (in constant 2018 prices). Horizon Europe will be implemented through three pillars: the Open Science pillar; the Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness pillar; and the Open Innovation pillar. The main aims are to strengthen science and technology, to foster industrial competiveness, and to implement the sustainable development goals in the EU.

The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that research and innovation are drivers for economic recovery. Hundreds of millions of euros have been mobilised in coronavirus research projects under the previous EU funding programme, Horizon 2020. The new programme will continue to support health research and help the EU´s health systems to prepare for future crises.

Horizon Europe

EP Plenary session  - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs on behalf of Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines - O.Q. to Commission: closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines - O.Q. to Commission: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Opening statements by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP, ES), Author and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs on behalf of Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines - O.Q. to Commission: opening statements by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP, ES), Author and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

This Infoclip illustrates the fight against Covid-19 crisis : research on vaccines, production of vaccines, vaccination all around Europe, EU Digital Covid Certificate. This infoclip also highlights work of nurses, doctors and technicians searching for cancer treatments and taking care of their patients.

Infoclip: Health crisis

Announcement of the results of the voting session (09/06) during the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Final votes on the conflict of interest of the Czech Prime Minister and the agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and increasing production and manufacturing capacity in developing countries and others. The results of the vote on the conflict of interest of the Czech Prime Minister are 690 voting - 505 in favour - 30 against - 155 abstentions. The results of the vote on WTO TRIPS (vaccine agreement) are 689 voting - 355 in favour - 263 against - and 71 abstentions.

Announcement of the results of the voting session (09/06): final votes on the conflict of interest of the Czech Prime Minister, and the agreement on Covid-19 vaccines and others

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the conclusions of the special meeting of the European Council on 24 and 25 May 2021: extracts from the debates on EU Vaccines strategy. Statements by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Dacian CIOLOŞ (Renew, RO), Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE), and Beata SZYDŁO (ECR, PL).

EU Vaccines strategy: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the preparation of the G7 Summit: extracts from the debate. Statements by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and President in office of the Council of the EU, Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Radosław SIKORSKI (EPP, PL), EPP Group Speaker, Dacian CIOLOŞ (Renew, RO), Renew Group leader, Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), S&D Group leader, and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Greens/EFA Group leader

Preparation of the G7 Summit: extracts from the debate

Announcement of the results of the voting session (08/06) during the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Result on vote on the EU Digital COVID Certificate: amendment 26 : 690 voting, 546 in favour, 93 against and 51 abstentions. Amendment 27: 690 voting, 575 in favour, 72 against and 43 abstention. Approuved.

Announcement of the results of the voting session (08/06) notably on the EU Digital COVID Certificate and ambiance shots prior to the debate

The EU Digital COVID Certificate aimed to ensure the freedom of movement within the EU during the pandemic.The Certificate would constitute proof that a person has been either vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result, or already recovered from the disease. This infoclip shows traveller presenting their Digital Certificate (fiction - posed scenes), people receiving the vaccine against COVID-19 and being tested.

Infoclip: EU Digital COVID Certificate (posed scenes - updated version)

Members of the EP Committees on International Trade (INTA) debate how to increase vaccine production effectively with Ngozi OKONJO-IWEALA, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Exchange of views with Ngozi OKONJO-IWEALA, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) at EP Committee on International Trade: extracts

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate proposal to the WTO to waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, a move backed by the US administration. Extracts from the debate: statements by Augusto SANTOS SILVA, Portuguese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, Esther de LANGE (EPP, NL), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Dacian CIOLOŞ (Renew, RO), Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA, LU), Marc BOTENGA (The Left, BE), and Gilles LEBRETON (ID, FR).

Waiver of the Global Covid 19 vaccines patents: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: MEPs debate part 1/3

Meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: MEPs debate part 1/3

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: Closing statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade and by Augusto SANTOS SILVA, Portuguese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

Meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: Closing statements by Council and Comission

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: MEPs debate part 3/3

Meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: MEPs debate part 3/3

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: MEPs debate part 2/3

Meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: MEPs debate part 2/3

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: Opening statements by Augusto SANTOS SILVA, Portuguese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade.

Meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries: Opening statements Council and Commission

Trilogue on the EU COVID-19 certificate: arrivals, roundtable and statement by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur and by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. European Parliament, Council and Commission negotiators try to conclude a deal aimed at establishing, on time for the summer tourist season, an EU certificate attesting that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has a negative test result or recovered from the sickness. This should allow a smooth and safe travel within the EU from the end of June.

Trilogue on the EU COVID-19 certificate: arrivals, roundtable and statement by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur and by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the Digital green certificate - Union citizens & third countries - The accessibility and affordability of Covid-testing: opening statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, European Council, and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Joint debate on the Digital green certificate - Union citizens & third countries - The accessibility and affordability of Covid-testing: opening statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS and Didier REYNDERS

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EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines