More European Solidarity

The crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic can be defeated through solidarity, the European Commission believes

Leyla Cheamil, 07.04.2020, 13:50

Unity and mutual support are two of the means by which the war against the crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic can be won; a crisis that has hit a multitude of fields: health-care, the economy, the education system, to mention just a few. Severely shattered by the pandemic, Europe is now looking for solutions to overcome these difficult times, when saving human lives is the priority in the fight against the new virus. The country most affected in Europe remains Italy, where record numbers of infections and deaths have been reported, although the locals have just entered the fourth week of lockdown, isolated in their own homes.

One proof of solidarity came from Romania, which has announced, through its president Klaus Iohannis, that a team of 11 physicians and 6 nurses will be sent to the Peninsula to help. In fact, the European Commission has made an appeal to solidarity in the face of this unprecedented crisis. The EC President Ursula von der Leyen has said, in an interview exclusively for Radio Romania, that the Commission has taken a number of measures, including to accelerate the manufacturing of medical supply and financial aid for SMEs.

Also, the European official has stated that Romanias helping with medical staff for the hospitals in Milan is highly appreciated. Ms. Von der Leyen has said that this is indeed an unprecedented crisis, which has hit every EU country, in particular Spain and Italy. “We are standing by these countries and we support them will all that we have” the EC President said, also stressing that she was very happy to hear that Romania was sending 11 physicians and 6 nurses to Italy, as proof of European solidarity. “To this end, we have launched the rescEU civil protection operation, which will allow the setting up of a reserve of vital equipment”, the EC President also said.

Ursula von der Leyen has also stated that European money will be used to buy medical equipment, which will be sent to the countries that are in most need of them. “I am happy and grateful that Romania has volunteered to be the first country to buy and stock ventilators, on behalf of the EU. It has already ordered 150 ventilators and, as soon as they reach Romania, we will be able to send them right away to the countries that need them, including Spain and Italy”, the European official said.

As regards the economy, the ECs priority is to salvage peoples jobs, Ursula von der Leyen said, and announced a scheme by means of which 100 billion Euros will be allocated to help the EU members pay their employees, even if they work for just a few hours. The European official has also recalled the importance of structural funds, which are a source of jobs, stating she has decided these funds will become completely flexible. (M.Ignatescu)