Today we bring you another quick update on more of the “hot topics” of this period with potential impact on European projects: the Brexit and the European response to Covid-19.
Regarding Brexit, the European Council noted with regret the stalemate in the negotiations and hoped for their speedy conclusion in light of previous commitments (including with reference to the issue of the Internal Market Bill that we have already discussed).
The start of the new round of meetings has given some positive signs, while keeping intact the road ahead on some key points. More nuanced, however, is the relationship (a few days later) to the European Parliament, in which the short time available and the main points still open were emphasized: fairness in the economic and trade rules applicable to the respective markets; the regulatory systems of the future agreement (dispute resolution and sanctions – put in doubt by the Internal Market Bill issue, among others); and the joint management of fishery resources. Finally, a recent communication warns of the remaining disagreements on the above points and calls for preparation for all scenarios. This is also true for those involved in europlanning: the prospects for the potential involvement of British partners remain decidedly uncertain.
Regarding the Covid-19 emergency, which has unfortunately reemerged in all its drama, the European response remains strong and important from several perspectives.
First, at the level of information. The site dedicated to mapping the effects of the pandemic on intra-EU travel has been expanded with data on the health situation in each country, the restriction measures applied and the possibilities/modes of access and transit in the country. A coordinated and non-unilateral approach is followed at this stage in the possible “closure” of European territories. The website of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control presents comprehensive and comparable information on the impact of the virus and forms of response in different countries, particularly Europe, with detailed analysis tools, weekly reports, and country reports.
At the design level, the response remains strong and evolving. A dedicated page gathers all relevant information: ongoing actions (including international ones), call deadlines, lists of specific and related projects, and actions funded in different countries. A page specifically dedicated to the world of research provides details by sub-sector; all scientific data produced are made available on a dedicated platform. Important new measures have been proposed by the Commission to fund and support the action of European projects against Covid-19 ( conference presentation here). The leading role of European philanthropy (which we had already discussed here) is confirmed and continues with countless new initiatives, calls and funding.
At the level of general response, it is difficult to summarize the various strands of intervention except by referring to their chronology, to the presentation page (with details for each area of action) and to a summary of the MAIN ELEMENTS: financial support to states to support employment and social networks, interoperability between tracking apps, new actions and allocations, vaccine and medicine supplies.
The European topical scenario is constantly changing, and some interesting signs of development are beginning to emerge in this peculiar period. We will keep you constantly updated as always, see you soon.
