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Taoiseach to call for 'much stronger' EU response to deal with COVID-19

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will call on the European Union to take a much stronger response to th...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

07.14 23 Apr 2020


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Taoiseach to call for 'much st...

Taoiseach to call for 'much stronger' EU response to deal with COVID-19

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

07.14 23 Apr 2020


Share this article


An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will call on the European Union to take a much stronger response to the economic impact of COVID-19, when he talks with fellow leaders on Thursday.

He will take part in video conference European Council meeting later.

This is the fourth such meeting to take place during the COVID-19 emergency.

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The Government says Mr Varadkar is keen to discuss the effectiveness of steps taken in different countries to mitigate the health, social and economic impacts of the virus.

He will call for significantly more financial assistance for member states - which could involve some form of mutual sharing of debt across the EU, designed specifically to deal with the impact of the pandemic.

Leaders are expected to endorse the recent package of economic support measures - worth up to €540bn - agreed by the Eurogroup of Finance Ministers, and call for it to be made operational as quickly as possible.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Mr Varadkar said: "As well as discussing the immediate impact of COVID-19 on health and human life on all our countries, I am keen to discuss options for the medium-term, including how we revitalise the EU economy, and ensure that the EU is better equipped to deal with emergencies like this in the future."

Leaders will also discuss the possibility of a shared approach to the phased lifting of containment measures.

This meeting follows one of EU foreign ministers, which Tánaiste Simon Coveney took part in on Wednesday.

During this meeting, Mr Coveney and his counterparts discussed the EU’s response to COVID-19, the situation in Libya and the EU’s approach to Ukraine and the eastern partnership - particularly in the context of the pandemic.

After the meeting, the Tánaiste said: "In discussions with my EU counterparts, I underlined the role Ireland is playing in EU repatriation efforts.

"We have chartered two special repatriation flights from Peru and India in March and April and hope to plan further charters to assist EU citizens to return home.

"Ireland also appreciates the assistance provided to Irish citizens by other EU member states. This is an example of EU solidarity at its best in times of crisis."

Main image: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks to the media during a visit to the Civil Defence Dublin Branch on Wolfe Tone Quay. Picture by: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images

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