Brussels, 3 April 2020
We have seen thousands of dedicated health workers risking their lives to help those infected with coronavirus since the beginning of the crisis. The severe shortage of protective and relevant medical equipment in the European Union made their job even more risky. EPP fully supports the Commission’s proposal to suspend tariffs on medical and protective equipment, an initiative I already proposed to the Commission President two weeks ago.
Now it is high time to take bold and decisive actions. If temporarily abolishing some tariffs can protect our doctors and health workers, such initiatives must be adopted without delay.
Adapting or changing any EU measure that can save lives, prevent the spread of the virus and support EU countries in combating the virus must not be hindered.
Brussels, 18 March 2020
“As we are facing one of the most serious public health crises in the history of the EU, we must use all available EU tools to alleviate the situation and help Member States.
EU countries are facing severe shortages of protective and relevant medical equipment. The European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen must immediately act, in accordance with the Commission’s competences, to temporarily abolish all tariffs for this type of equipment.
Abolishing tariffs is a concrete step the EU can take to help the citizens. The European Commission must not hesitate in taking any action possible to fight COVID-19,” wrote the European People’s Party and EPP Group Vice President Siegfried Muresan MEP in a letter to President Von der Leyen earlier today.
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