The president of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament is following closely the COVID-19 crisis and the measures taken to contain the spread of the virus as well the economic consequences.
Iratxe García said:
“Today I met with the Commission President Ursula von de Leyen and we discussed the COVID-19 EU-response, the humanitarian crisis on the EU-Turkey border and the budget that we need to face these hard times.
“The European Union is ready to protect its citizens. This is why I welcome the measures already announced by the Commission, including financial help through the mobilisation of European funds to fight COVID-19. Our information-sharing and alert system is working well, and there will be better coordination to ensure supplies.
“I urged Commission president to allow, without hesitations or delays, the use of fiscal flexibility to its fullest, so that member states can use all the means to apply the necessary public policies. I am also in touch with the economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, who is very aware of the need of a significant economic stimulus to protect not only our citizens’ health, but also the industry and SMEs.
“Tomorrow the European Central Bank will convene a meeting and we expect them to send a strong signal to stimulate the economy, and that the Eurogroup next Monday decides to give member states the fiscal space they need to fight this exceptional situation.
“The EU has the solidarity instruments and the capacity to face this crisis, and we will do it together.”
