The 27th Summit, which was held by teleconference, was completed. The 27 Heads of State and Government agreed on general parameters for increasing vaccine production, tightening their exports, monitoring cases and mutations, but also maintaining restrictive measures in a proportionate manner that does not disturb the common market. They promised to return to the issue of vaccination certificates in the future.
The statement adopted by the 27 states in detail the following:
1. We are determined to continue to work together and coordinate our action to address the pandemic and its consequences. The epidemiological situation remains serious and the new variants pose additional challenges. Therefore, we must adhere to strict restrictions while stepping up efforts to speed up the supply of vaccines.
2. For the time being, unnecessary travel must be reduced. We welcome the adoption of the two Council Recommendations on travel within and within the EU, according to which restrictions can be introduced in accordance with the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination, taking into account the specific situation of cross-border communities. The smooth flow of goods and services within the single market, including the use of Green Lanes, must be ensured.
3. Vaccination has now started in all our Member States and our vaccination strategy has ensured that all Member States have access to vaccines. However, we urgently need to speed up the approval, production and distribution of vaccines, as well as vaccination. We also need to improve monitoring and detection capabilities in order to detect variants as soon as possible in order to control their spread, as set out in the Commission Communication on the HERA Incubator. We support the Commission's additional efforts to work with industry and the Member States to increase the capacity of current vaccine production, as well as to adapt vaccines to new variants as required. We also support the Commission 's ongoing efforts to speed up the availability of raw materials, facilitate agreements between manufacturers throughout the supply chain, cover existing facilities to help increase production in the EU and promote research and development efforts. Companies must ensure the predictability of vaccine production and meet conventional delivery deadlines. Transparency of overall efforts needs to be strengthened.
4. We call for work to continue on a common approach to vaccination certificates and we will return to this issue.
5. We reaffirm our solidarity with third countries and underline our determination to step up our global response to the pandemic. We remain committed to improving access to vaccines for priority groups in our neighborhood and beyond, based on common principles, and to supporting a global approach through the COVAX Facility. We welcome COVAX's first plans to distribute vaccines in 92 low- and middle-income countries. We are committed to contributing the EU's fair share of ACT-A funding.
6. We will continue to closely monitor the overall situation and take action as needed.
7. Although the COVID-19 crisis is not over, it is time to start strengthening our future health resilience now.
8. We will work to improve EU coordination, in line with the Union's competences under the Treaties, to ensure better prevention, preparedness and response to future health emergencies. As a matter of priority, work is needed to ensure that the EU has the means to provide enough vaccines and critical supplies for all its Member States, to support the whole process of developing safe and effective vaccines and medicines, including timely investment in production. capacity and make better use of data and digital technologies for medical research and healthcare. Work on the Union's proposals for the Health and Pharmaceutical Strategy should also be promoted, including access to medicines in all Member States.
9. We call on the Commission to report by June 2021 on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic so far. The report should also address information exchange, coordination, communication and public procurement, as well as how to ensure adequate capacity in the EU and the creation of strategic reserves, while supporting the diversification and resilience of global medical chains. supply. This work should continue in the second half of 2021.
10. Global multilateral cooperation is essential in addressing current and future health threats. We are committed to promoting global health security, including by strengthening the World Health Organization, and we are working towards an international pandemic treaty under it. In this context, we look forward to the G20 Health Summit in Rome.
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