The Greens/EFA group welcome emergency funding for EU regions hit by COVID-19

Yesterday, the European Parliament Plenary voted on a series of emergency measures to financially support Member States and regions affected by the COVID-19. The measures include €37 billion mobilised for investment in healthcare products and services necessary for bolstering the crisis response, small and medium-sized enterprises and the labour market.

Also, Greens/EFA MEP Diana Riba and EFA individual member Pernando Barrena (EH Bildu), among other MEPs, have sent a letter to the European Commission, urging it for a EU coordinated plan among Member States, regions, trade unions, employers and all social agents to tackle the pandemic. Key measures proposed include the protection of essential services during the pandemic and the monitoring of its evolution in every Member State and region to apply the necessary measures gradually and in the most efficient way.

Ska Keller MEP, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, has commented:

“European solidarity needs to play an important role in tackling this crisis. We need to learn from each other, use common procurement and send medical and financial help where it is needed most, also across borders. The emergency measures voted today are an important first step – but this can only be the start towards providing crucial support for those exposed most to the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak.”

Read the full press release

Read the full letter (in ES)