Brussels / Split, 17 April 2020
Member of European Parliament Željana Zovko strongly welcomes the joint resolution of the European Parliament on coordinated action by the European Union to combat the COVID19 pandemic adopted during the extraordinary April plenary session. Zovko called for unity, solidarity and cooperation during this unprecedented crisis in order to provide the European Union with a common, effective and coordinated response to the current as well as future crises.
“The European Union must act vigorously and decisively to protect its citizens and contribute to a faster recovery of the society and economy from the effects of the COVID19 pandemic”, Zovko said. “I call on the Commission to further strengthen the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and the RescEU in order to improve European disaster risk management, preparedness and prevention, as well as to secure and procure common equipment, materials and supplies of medicines. In addition to the terrible disease that has taken us all hostage and blocked our economies, we should not forget the unpredictable disasters and everyday threats of nature, such as the earthquakes we witnessed in Zagreb and last year in Albania. All these events require more resources for the recovery of the society and therefore the RescEU must act faster and more vigilantly and provide the appropriate means to respond at times when society expects action.”
Zovko also welcomed the adoption of the Commission proposal at the plenary session on the extraordinary amendment of the European budget for 2020, which mobilized over € 3.5 billion to further support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“By releasing an additional € 2.7 billion through the European Union Emergency Facility, € 415 million for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and RescEU, and € 350 million to reduce migrant pressure at the Greek border, the Union is proactive in mitigating the effects of this crisis on overwhelmed health systems, the availability of medical equipment and the security and stability at the European external borders,’ Zovko concluded.
An extraordinary plenary session was held on 16 and 17 April 2020 in Brussels. Due to the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID19 pandemic, MEPs followed the session via videoconference and voted remotely.