Doslovný zápis z rozpráv

Utorok, 10. marca 2020 - Brusel

4. Šírenie nákazy koronavírusom, súčasný stav a zabezpečenie koordinovanej európskej reakcie na zdravotný, hospodársky a sociálny vplyv (rozprava)

  President. – Sadly, we move on to very serious matters.

The next item is the debate on the Commission and Council statements on the Coronavirus outbreak, state of play and ensuring a coordinated European response to the health, economic and social impact (2020/2591(RSP)).

  Nikolina Brnjac, President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, the spread of the new coronavirus known as Covid-19 is evolving rapidly. The current situation proves that like all viruses, coronavirus has the ability to cross borders and continents. It is important to stress that only together, and in a coordinated, coherent manner, can we address this global outbreak in the most effective way. Before I continue, allow me to pay tribute to the victims in Europe and elsewhere, and express my sympathies to their relatives and loved ones.

Over the last five weeks the Presidency has taken a number of steps to coordinated the EU’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak. The current scale of the outbreak, however, demonstrates that we need to further enhance the coordination of our actions in close cooperation between Member States, EU institutions, bodies and agencies such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Medicines Agency, and with the international organisations such as the World Health Organization.

We have had numerous meetings, including at Council level, where we have intensively discussed various consequences of the Covid-19 spread in the European Union, and exchanged information on the level of preparedness of Member States in terms of the implementation of relevant protective measures.

The Health Security Committee established to coordinate risk and crisis communication and the responses of the Member States to serious cross-border threats to health has already met 10 times to exchange information on this outbreak.

The first action taken by the Presidency at the EU level was the activation of the first level of the integrated policy crisis response on 28 January, which we then escalated to full mode last Monday due to the worsening epidemiological situation. I’m sure that you are already aware of the large-scale efforts within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism to repatriate EU citizens first from Wuhan in China and now from other countries such as Japan and Iran. In this context, it should be noted that consular affairs fall under Member States’ competences, but of course also here we are stronger if we cooperate.

As to the current situation, the Presidency, together with the European External Action Service, conducted local consular cooperation meetings with the Member States to update on changing needs to consular assistance in different third countries. The capitals are also in very close contact to coordinate and support each other on consular assistance to EU citizens.

Through the constant monitoring of the situation, I believe that we currently have a good overview of the spread of Covid-19 and I need to underline at this stage that the swift exchange of up-to-date information among us, and further coordination of measures taken, are crucial elements for an effective response to reduce the impact of the outbreak. To that end, we will convene an IPCR round-table meeting at ambassador level for detailed discussions on concrete measures necessary for an effective and coordinated response.

I will now give you more details about the coordinated response at Council level to the health, economic and social impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. On 7 February, the Presidency organised an informal, high-level video-conference with Member States’ delegations. Together with representatives of the Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, they had an opportunity to exchange information on the implementation of protective measures taken and to compare experience concerning the activation of national systems for handling public health emergencies.

On 13 February, the EPSCO Council held intensive discussions in which Member States, the Commission, the WHO and the ECDC explored ways to further enhance communication and cooperation at EU level to efficiently tackle this public health emergency. They also focused on possible solutions to safeguard the sustainable supply of medicines and equipment on the EU internal market. We adopted conclusions that strengthened the coordinated approach and included a number of actions to be taken to protect public health in the European Union.

In light of the recent rapid increase of Covid-19 cases in the EU – where now all Member States have cases, with some counting hundreds, and, in the case of Italy, thousands of cases – the Presidency held another meeting of the EPSCO Council last Friday. The Member States had an opportunity to exchange views on the consequences of this rapid increase, to assess the effectiveness of measures in place and discuss ways to strengthen the response. That exchange of views suggested that at present our operational emergency mechanism and protective measures are functioning in a satisfactory and coordinated manner.

The key message expressed by the Council, which I would like to share with you, is above all we need to strengthen solidarity between the Member States, cooperation and exchange of information. Member States stand ready to further raise collective and individual awareness of the threat from Covid—19 and to establish coherent containment measures while maintaining the principle of freedom of movement in the European Union. We will further develop a coordinated approach to prevention and good practices for all people affected, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

Last but not least, Member States have identified a need for European monitoring of the supply of medicines and medical equipment. They share the same aim to secure production, stocking, availability and rational use of protective equipment in the European Union.

As regards the economic and social impact of this health crisis, we all realise that it is imperative to act quickly in order to prevent huge further costs. For that reason, finance ministers held an informal discussion last week to discuss appropriate countermeasures. They discussed the specific actions to adequately provide financial support to national civil protection systems in order to cope with this crisis. Next week, finance ministers will meet again to take stock of the situation and propose additional targeted measures if necessary. Specific sectors and regions of Europe are suffering disproportionately from this crisis and they will need all our support and solidarity to address the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on society and the economy.

Furthermore, on Thursday, on the Presidency’s initiative, the EU education ministers will hold a conference call to discuss an effective national response to ensure continuity of education in the light of the Covid-19 outbreak. As you probably know, President Michel convened a video-conference with leaders this afternoon to discuss how to coordinate EU efforts to respond to the outbreak in order to protect the health of our citizens. The meeting will be an opportunity for the leaders to exchange information, facilitate the coordination of efforts and to prepare the next steps.

I know that we can count on our robust European social model, ensuring adequate social protection and that citizens are not left behind in these precarious circumstances. Solidarity and a coordinated approach are the key in this situation. We welcome the support mobilised by the Commission so far, provided in a number of sectors such as public health, research and civil protection, and we will continue to work closely with the Commission to ensure that comprehensive support is delivered to the Member States. We remain convinced that the coordinated measures taken will help sustainably diminish the impact of Covid-19 in Europe and will minimise disruption to the continuity of social, economic and democratic life.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, Covid—19 has developed into a fast-moving and increasingly severe public health emergency that is affecting our citizens, our societies, and our economies. We have since yesterday confirmed cases in all Member States. Whilst the numbers vary from a few cases only to over 9 000, we know that the picture is changing exponentially and by the hour. Needless to say, the days and weeks ahead are critical.

I want here to take the opportunity to praise the European Parliament’s decision to take effective measures. I know it was not an easy decision, but it was necessary. They are critical, the next few days and months will be critical for our response. Member States must still focus on efforts to aggressively contain the virus, particularly where there are few cases. Slowing down the virus must be our greatest priority in order to gain time for our health systems to function effectively, and for research and development to advance.

The measures we are seeing are impacting on our citizens, on their everyday lives, on the economy, on businesses. It is not an easy situation to live in, and the decisions taken by government are not taken lightly. But when necessary and justified, although tough these decisions need to be followed to the letter.

It is a time of critical communication with our citizens and here Parliament can be of great help in two ways. You need to be the voices that speak to citizens for them to take responsibility for their personal protection measures: washing hands, avoiding physical contact; but you also need to be the voices against false news and misinformation, because this is equally damaging to the efforts made and the impact of the virus itself.

This is a critical time for cooperation and solidarity. Without solidarity and Europe-wide solutions, we are not going to be able to deal with this public health emergency. We need solidarity between citizens, between countries, and within countries, and this was ensured in the outcome of the extraordinary Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) last week.

We need to see solidarity in action. We need to share resources, share information, share expertise, share equipment. We need to share equipment protocols and testing protocols. Let me be absolutely clear, this cannot be business as usual. We are facing an exceptional situation, and under such circumstances everybody needs to stand up to their responsibilities.

Whilst the realities on the ground between Member States vary considerably, and whilst they are not all at the same scenarios, I have called on all of them to activate their preparedness plans and to share them with us. I have called on all of them to plan ahead, to be ready for the possible next scenario. From our side, we will continue to do our utmost to ensure that medical workers and those on the front line have the best means possible in order to face the outbreak. Complacency is not an option.

We have launched a joint procurement for personal protective equipment, and this morning we will know what response to this offer we have received. We are already looking at joint procurements for medical equipment, such as respirators and testing kits, which have been requested by Member States. With Commissioner Breton we are discussing how industry can scale up production to meet increased demands.

Yesterday I spoke with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency. We have established a video conference three times a week with myself, as Health Commissioner, and the Agencies, to be updated and coordinated in every way possible so that we can be proactive if possible. We are strengthening the operational support and advice of ECDC on the ground. An expert mission has already taken place in Italy and a second one is underway in Greece. We have increased funding for research and vaccine development, and we are also coordinating our border, visa and security measures.

In ending, I want to say that from day one, our priority has been to protect citizens from this virus and to support Member States in stopping the spread. We need to show a Europe that cares, a Europe of solidarity, and a Europe that protects, a Europe that offers added value to its Member States in their response to that challenge. I know that when under this kind of pressure everyone reacts in different ways, but this is not a time for fragmentation; this is a time for all of us – wherever we are positioned – to join our voices, because this is the only way we’re going to be able to come out of this crisis – and that we will. And I’m sure we will have you with us in this effort.

  Janez Lenarčič, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, on 28 January, President von der Leyen activated the Commission’s crisis management system, and she tasked me, as the European Emergency Response Coordinator, to chair the coordinated effort for our response. Last week, this was bolstered by the setting-up of a specific coronavirus response team of five Commissioners, including Commissioner Kyriakides and myself. But also other Commissioners – all Commissioners – are heavily involved in this effort.

For the past six weeks, we have been coordinating the work of all Commission services to identify what needs to be done, by whom and when, and get it done. Let me give you a quick overview of this effort.

Through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, we have coordinated the repatriation of hundreds of European Union citizens from China and Japan. We have coordinated the provision of assistance to China during the initial stage of the outbreak there. Since then, we have been working with the EU Member States to coordinate assistance between them via this mechanism. We have mobilised funding to the tune of almost EUR 270 million to boost global preparedness, prevention and containment of the virus with a combination of development, humanitarian and research funding.

In the area of border controls, we have issued guidance to Member States and organised weekly meetings of the Covid-19 information group on borders, which brings together the Member States, Schengen associated countries, the Council Secretariat and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, so as to exchange information and best practices on measures taken by the Member States in view of the coordinated approach.

For transport-related measures, we have requested the development of specific advice for ship and aircraft operators, as well as the land transport sector, regarding preparedness and the response to the Covid-19 outbreak. This advice was recently published by the expert group.

In addition, we are working every day on contingency planning and preparedness measures for the EU on all aspects of this emergency, from health and research to civil protection and consular assistance, from transport and home affairs to the economy. We are assessing the impact on supply chains and working with Member States to ensure that they use the benefits offered by the single market rather than close it off to each other. Commissioner Breton is speaking directly to European manufacturers of personal protective equipment. Our aim is to make sure that the public health needs of all Member States are met and that adequate supplies get to where they are needed most.

There is no way around the fact that the economic cost of the coronavirus will be significant. We are working closely with Member States to assess the situation and coordinate the necessary economic measures. By coordinating them, we will maximise their impact. It is important that affected workers and businesses get the necessary support to weather this storm. On the fiscal front, European countries have powerful automatic stabilisers, which can cushion a good part of the shock. They can also intervene in terms of providing liquidity to small and medium enterprises, which are the most affected by this impact. In addition, our Stability and Growth Pact provides for flexibility to cater for unusual events such as this. Our letter to Italy is very clear on that.

We are well aware that exceptional times require exceptional measures, and this is such a time. We are committed to coordinating with Member States and using all appropriate policy tools to safeguard against the downside risks that are now materialising.

Finally, we have ramped up our public communication efforts with the launch of a dedicated Covid-19 webpage with daily updates.

There should be no doubt that this situation calls for a coherent response, and solidarity and cooperation are essential. Member States recognise this and the Commission has already been supporting them for weeks. In particular, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre, which is working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, remains available to them.

  Manfred Weber, im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Zunächst sind unsere Gedanken bei den Betroffenen – bei denen, die im Krankenhaus sind, die vom Virus betroffen sind – und bei den Angehörigen, die bereits Partner, Freunde, Angehörige verloren haben. Ich möchte im Namen der EVP-Fraktion auch zunchst danke sagen: bei Präsident Sassoli, bei unserem Generalsekretär Klaus Welle für die besonnenen Maßnahmen, die wir als Parlament ergriffen haben, und auch bei den Kollegen Fraktionsvorsitzenden, dass wir in der Konferenz der Präsidenten mit der Situation, denke ich, sehr verhältnismäßig umgegangen sind. Ich möchte danke sagen bei Ursula von der Leyen, bei Stella und bei Kommissar Lenarčič für ihre Aktivitäten. Wir alle hätten uns einen anderen Beginn der Kommissionsarbeit gewünscht, dass wir nicht sofort in Krisenzeiten aufwachen. Aber jetzt gilt es, diese Krisenzeiten anzupacken. Und ich möchte ausdrücklich auch danke sagen bei denen, die jetzt Verantwortung für die Patienten tragen. Wir haben viele Menschen, die im direkten Kontakt mit den Infizierten sind; bei den Krankenschwestern, den Pflegern und den Ärzten, und bei denen, die diese couragierte Arbeit machen, möchte ich mich im Namen der EVP-Fraktion herzlich bedanken.

Corona zwingt uns zu Schritten, die gegen unseren European way of life gehen: dass wir Hände schütteln, dass wir uns küssen, dass wir Reisen tätigen, dass wir Freunde treffen. Das ist die eigentliche Herausforderung, die vor uns steht: unser Leben ein Stück weit auf den Prüfstand zu stellen. Jeder kann helfen, jeder kann einen Beitrag leisten, um den Virus zu stoppen beziehungsweise zu verlangsamen. Entschiedenes Handeln ist notwendig, und es ist andererseits auch notwendig, Panik zu vermeiden.

Was ist die Aufgabe, die wir auf europäischer Ebene anpacken müssen? Zunächst gilt es, klarzustellen, dass die Hauptverantwortung auf nationaler Ebene verankert ist. Es sind die nationalen Gesundheitsminister, die die Verantwortung tragen. Aber Europa kann natürlich einen Beitrag leisten, den wir ambitioniert anpacken wollen. Das Erste ist ein gemeinsames Risiko-Assessment. Wir haben als Europäische Volkspartei bereits in der letzten Straßburg-Tagung vorgeschlagen, dass bei allen Reisenden, die in die Europäische Union hereinkommen, an allen Flughäfen des Schengen-Grenzraums eine gemeinsame Risikobewertung vorgenommen wird, mit gemeinsamen Zetteln, die verteilt werden, wo Bürger, die einreisen, angeben, woher sie kommen, ob sie mit Infizierten in Kontakt waren. Das hat leider Gottes sehr lange gedauert, bis das von den einzelnen Mitgliedstaaten übernommen worden ist; heute wird es besser gemacht.

Als EVP-Fraktion sind wir der Meinung, dass wir bei den Maßnahmen, die jetzt auf nationaler Ebene ergriffen werden, mit den Vorschlägen, die die Kommission macht, die unsere Experten machen, auf nationaler Ebene noch zu unkoordiniert umgehen. Beispielsweise werden Fußballspiele in einzelnen Ländern mit Zuschauern durchgeführt, in anderen Mitgliedstaaten werden sie ohne Zuschauer durchgeführt. Für viele Menschen bedeutet das Verwirrung. Und deswegen spricht für uns auch eines der Ergebnisse aus diesen Entwicklungen der letzten Tage dafür, dass wir unsere Agenturen, unseren Sachverstand in den nächsten Jahren stärken müssen.

Was Europa leisten muss, ist – und das wurde durch beide Kommissare deutlich gemacht: Wir brauchen Solidarität. Nach der Entscheidung Deutschlands und Frankreichs, beispielsweise für Schutzmasken ein Exportverbot auszusprechen, gab es einen Dominoeffekt auf europäischer Ebene, wo alle Mitgliedstaaten dieses Exportverbot ausgesprochen haben. Das ist nicht das Verständnis von Solidarität, das wir als EVP-Fraktion haben. Wenn Italien jetzt in einer Sondersituation ist und Bedarf an diesen Schutzmasken hat, dann sollten andere Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union bereit sein, zu helfen, und nicht national egoistisch nur auf die eigenen Herausforderungen schauen.

Wenn wir weiterdenken, dann glauben wir, dass die Frage der Forschung von zentraler Bedeutung ist. Die EU-Kommission hat jetzt 47 Millionen Euro bereitgestellt, um die Forschung am Coronavirus zu verbessern. Ich glaube, dass diese Mittel nicht ausreichen werden, um bei der Impfung und auch bei der Behandlung schnell Fortschritte zu erzielen, die von unseren Bürgern erwartet werden. Und wir werden als EVP-Fraktion auch über das Wettbewerbsrecht reden müssen. Medikamente – dass wir bei Medikamenten heute abhängig sind von chinesischen und indischen Subunternehmern, das verstehen die Bürger in Europa nicht. Das heißt, wir werden in zukünftigen Diskussionen über das Wettbewerbsrecht definieren müssen, welche Produkte wir eigenständig versorgen müssen.

Und zu guter Letzt brauchen wir ein Maßnahmenpaket für die Wirtschaft. Die EZB wird diese Woche tagen. Die state aid rules müssen überprüft werden. Die Flexibilität muss genutzt werden, um unsere Konzerne zu unterstützen; vor allem für die kleinen mittelständischen Unternehmen brauchen wir Cash, brauchen wir Darlehen, und der Stabilitätspakt muss flexibel angewandt werden. Wir sprechen uns gegen jede Änderung des Stabilitätspakts aus, aber wir wollen die flexible Anwendung des Stabilitätspakts. Das sind die Aufgaben, die vor uns stehen.

Die Situation, vor der wir jetzt stehen, ist keine Situation, die Parteipolitik erfordert, sondern Verantwortung. Sie ist keine Situation, die Panik erfordert, sondern entschiedenes Handeln. Und vor allem ist sie keine Situation, in der es um nationalen Egoismus geht, sondern um das Bewusstsein, dass es um eine Schicksalsgemeinschaft Europa geht, in der wir uns befinden.

  Iratxe García Pérez, en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señora presidenta, sin duda alguna estos días estamos viviendo una situación extraordinaria que está provocando incertidumbre y preocupación en la ciudadanía y por eso creo que es importante que hoy seamos capaces de lanzar desde aquí un mensaje de calma y de prudencia y actuar con tesón. Las decisiones que tomemos en los próximos días han de tener base científica y ser conformes con lo dispuesto en las recomendaciones de las autoridades sanitarias.

Hemos de ser conscientes de que algunos Estados miembros están siendo golpeados más severamente por esta crisis que otros y están tomando decisiones que son difíciles y duras. Y en estos momentos tenemos que ser constructivos para superar esta situación de la mejor manera posible.

Como representantes públicos que somos debemos actuar con firmeza y fomentando acciones razonables que eviten estragos innecesarios. Ante cualquier crisis necesitamos dotarnos de las herramientas necesarias para abordarla y ser conscientes de su envergadura. Al no estar hoy en condiciones de poder votar la resolución sobre la que nuestros grupos habían estado trabajando, sí que quiero trasladar cuáles son las cuestiones esenciales para mi Grupo político.

Los Estados miembros deben actuar de forma solidaria y garantizando una respuesta común y coordinada, proporcionada y efectiva en respuesta al virus. La Comisión y los Estados miembros deben establecer medidas de contención y planes de emergencia, por lo que recibimos gratamente el compromiso de la Comisión Europea de invertir en la investigación del desarrollo de una vacuna. De forma simultánea, debemos establecer medidas que alivien el impacto económico de esta crisis y sirvan también de estímulo a la economía europea.

En consecuencia, los Estados miembros deberían estar autorizados a implementar medidas fiscales adicionales, incluyendo medidas de flexibilidad fiscal. Instamos al establecimiento de políticas anticíclicas y medidas concretas que tengan como objetivo proteger el empleo.

El Banco Europeo de Inversiones debe utilizar las líneas de crédito para proveer a las pequeñas y medianas empresas de fondos de liquidez en situaciones de emergencia financiera. Debemos asegurar que la especulación de los precios y mercados paralelos no se beneficie de esta crisis.

No podemos ignorar el impacto social que el virus COVID-19 está teniendo. Pero ello no implica que no tengamos que garantizar los derechos laborales: tenemos que ser capaces de garantizar los derechos de los trabajadores y las trabajadoras. Y debemos mirar más allá de esta cifra.

Debemos priorizar el fortalecimiento de la seguridad social y de los sistemas de salud pública, que están demostrando en estos momentos una gran responsabilidad y capacidad de atender a estas cuestiones. La defensa de los sistemas de sanidad pública es una cuestión esencial, sistemas que en estos momentos están dando ejemplo.

Finalmente, quiero expresar mi más firme repulsa a los actos de racismo, discriminación y prejuicios contra personas de origen chino o con ascendencia asiática. Es intolerable cualquier tipo de racismo y menos en estos casos.

Por último, envío un apoyo a todas las víctimas, a las que quiero hacer llegar la solidaridad de mi Grupo, y un agradecimiento a todo el sector médico y personas que están trabajando para poder acabar con esta situación.

  Frédérique Ries, au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, Monsieur le Commissaire, avant tout, j’aimerais avoir moi aussi, au nom du groupe Renew, une pensée émue et chaleureuse pour les victimes, pour les familles et pour les soignants de ceux qui sont touchés personnellement par ce coronavirus.

Notre débat, ce matin, est bien évidemment essentiel parce que nous avons un devoir d’exemplarité. Le Parlement fait comme tout le monde, il s’adapte à la propagation du virus et prend les mesures de vigilance nécessaires qui s’imposent avec cette plénière rapatriée à Bruxelles et limitée à sa plus simple expression: les débats d’aujourd’hui. En revanche, il n’est pas question de déserter comme il n’en est pas question pour les centaines de milliers de travailleurs qui, partout en Europe, restent à leur poste et continuent d’assurer le bon fonctionnement de pans entiers de notre économie.

Six semaines maintenant que ce virus est à la une de tous les médias, alors quelle est la valeur ajoutée de notre débat ce matin, dans les limites, disons très étriquées, que le traité accorde à l’Europe de la santé.

D’abord, entre minimisation et psychose, il faut placer le curseur à l’endroit juste. Oui, la situation est préoccupante, puisque 10 000 Européens ont été contaminés et que 500 décès ont été enregistrés (dans cinq pays seulement heureusement). Oui, une vigilance sans faille s’impose. Mais il faut aussi rappeler que seulement 5 % des personnes touchées doivent être soignées à l’hôpital.

Il faut dire aussi que l’Europe a réagi rapidement. Elle a notamment activé dès le 28 janvier, le mécanisme de protection civile pour rapatrier les Européens de Chine, d’Iran et du Japon. Elle a par ailleurs dégagé des crédits à hauteur de 100 millions d’euros pour la recherche, les futurs traitements et vaccins, les actions de prévention et la veille sanitaire. C’est là une preuve du savoir-faire de l’Europe et de la Commission. Mais qui le sait? Ce n’est pas une critique mais une petite suggestion à la Commission: il faudrait aussi activer vos compétences de «faire savoir», c’est essentiel. Et c’est aussi une arme, Madame Kyriakides, contre la désinformation.

Mais encore, face à la globalisation des menaces, c’est la quatrième épidémie en moins de vingt ans. L’Europe doit mieux anticiper et mieux se coordonner. Renew propose tout un plan d’action que je vous invite à découvrir par ailleurs. Et en ce qui concerne les impacts sociaux et économiques de cette pandémie: je laisserai la parole dans quelques instants à mon collègue Dragoș Pîslaru.

  Silvia Sardone, a nome del gruppo ID. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io mi chiedo: ma l'avete capito che ci troviamo di fronte a una situazione davvero straordinaria, paragonabile solo a una guerra?

Perché, io mi vergogno di questa Europa, che è totalmente incapace di rispondere adeguatamente a un'emergenza di queste dimensioni. Mi vergogno di un'Europa che da un mese discute di coronavirus e non fa nulla: avete creato una task force con cinque Commissari che non ha prodotto assolutamente nulla.

Mi vergogno di un'Europa che è disunita e certamente in ritardo. Mi vergogno di un'Europa inefficace e assente: che figura ci fa questa Istituzione di fronte ai tantissimi medici e infermieri in trincea oggi negli ospedali?

Mi vergogno di un'Europa che non ha protocolli unici per gestire questa epidemia: ci sono paesi che hanno fatto tanti tamponi, chi nessuno. Ci sono paesi che usano totale trasparenza e altri che nascondono i dati o minimizzano per evitare le conseguenze economiche.

Mi vergogno di un'Europa che abbandona paesi interi, come l'Italia, imprese, commercianti, cittadini. Mi vergogno, tantissimo, dei tanti paesi che hanno bloccato le esportazioni di macchinari per la terapia intensiva; mi vergogno di quei paesi che hanno requisito le mascherine e i materiali medici per l'Italia.

Mi vergogno che non ci sia un approccio solidale all'emergenza. Mi vergogno degli speculatori e mi vergogno altresì delle catene di distribuzione che hanno preteso il bollino "coronavirus free" sui prodotti alimentari italiani. Qualcuno evidentemente sta usando il virus per fare una guerra commerciale ai prodotti italiani.

Mi vergogno che, in un momento di tale emergenza, ci siano degli euroburocrati che pretendono l'approvazione del MES, invece di mettere al primo posto la questione del coronavirus. Mi vergogno di un'Europa che, di fronte al grido di aiuto dell'Italia, risponde solamente con la proposta di uno scomputo del deficit delle spese una tantum.

Non basta! Qui ci vuole un piano colossale di investimenti infrastrutturali e il superamento dei parametri troppo rigidi per affrontare una recessione, che si presenta drammatica.

Concludo: io mi vergogno di chi se ne frega delle ripercussioni sul settore turistico; mi vergogno di un'Europa che ipotizza di mettere a disposizione una cifra irrisoria. Ma mi vergogno anche di chi dice "più Europa" quando qua l'Europa non sta esistendo! Mi vergogno, infine, di un'Europa che discute e basta quando ogni giorno perso è un dramma!

  Ska Keller, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, I very much want to thank all the health workers, all over the world, who are doing a tremendous job and will most likely have to continue doing a tremendous job and who we all rely on in times of emergency – I really want to thank them for all that they are doing.

And while we’re following very closely what’s happening with the Covid-19 spread and impact, I think what we also should be looking at is the wider impact and the wider effect it has on health systems. There are also other health problems around that might get worse when hospitals are very busy dealing with the coronavirus infections and health systems are often already at their limit.

And I think that should also encourage us to learn some lessons – I mean, there will be many more lessons to be learned in the future, but already at this point I think we can take and draw some lessons. One of them is to really strengthen the health systems, and not rely on there always being good and sunny days. We also need to have our health systems in shape for emergency situations.

I think another important thing is that we need to have social systems that enable people to indeed take sick leave, to stay at home when they’re not feeling well, or even to stay in quarantine, and that’s not possible if you’re only paid by the hour. That’s not possible when you’re paid badly, if you don’t get sick leave support, for example.

Another lesson, as has also been mentioned by colleagues, is that maybe it’s not so smart to leave the production of vital goods to one country, one region alone – that we should spread production more widely and more economically in that sense and not just be reliant on very specific areas or very specific economies.

And while we need to listen to the medical experts and take note of the measures and emergency measures that Parliament should take – that everyone should take – it is also up to politics to draw those conclusions, to draw lessons and deal with them.

And, most importantly, I think I want to reiterate what the Commissioner said. We need to work together. A crisis can only be overcome if we all show solidarity. Exclusion and discrimination does not help anyone. It’s the wrong way forward. We need to stand together in solidarity, especially when the going gets tough.

  Joanna Kopcińska, w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Drugiego marca bieżącego roku Unia Europejska przeszła do pełnego aktywowania zintegrowanego uzgodnienia unijnego dotyczącego reagowania na szczeblu politycznym w sytuacjach kryzysowych, w wyniku czego zdecydowano między innymi zwołać na szóstego marca bieżącego roku kolejne nadzwyczajne posiedzenie Rady, podczas której ministrowie zdrowia mieli możliwość zapoznania się z bieżącą sytuacją.

Dla pełnej ochrony naszych obywateli musimy znaleźć najlepsze podejście do skoordynowanego reagowania na obecne rozprzestrzenianie się COVID-19 w Unii Europejskiej. Jak Komisja Europejska ocenia mechanizmy istniejące na szczeblu państw członkowskich w kontekście wyzwań, jakie stwarza rozprzestrzenianie się COVID-19 w Europie? Jakie działania dodatkowe może zaproponować Komisja, które byłyby pomocne w dalszej poprawie komunikacji i wymianie informacji?

Dostępne dane z całego świata pokazują też interesujące trendy. Z jednej strony mamy znaczący spadek zachorowań w Chinach. Czy to oznacza, że drastyczne środki stosowane przez chińskie władze przyniosły skutki? Pojawiły się również informacje mówiące o znaczącej różnicy w śmiertelności między krajami, od niecałego procenta potwierdzonych zakażeń w Korei Południowej do prawie 5% w jednym z krajów na terenie Unii Europejskiej. Czy tak jest faktycznie? Czy są takie różnice, a jeżeli tak, to jak Państwo to oceniacie?

Jakie dodatkowe środki ochrony zamierza podjąć Komisja Europejska w przypadku, gdy pomimo wprowadzonych środków wirus COVID-19 będzie się nadal rozprzestrzeniał? Czy Komisja mogłaby zaproponować dodatkowe działania, które mogłyby być przydatne w pomocy państwom członkowskim w takiej sytuacji, w tym dodatkowe fundusze i wsparcie z Europejskiego Banku Inwestycyjnego, oraz czy rozważy finansowanie walki z koronawirusem z unijnego funduszu solidarnościowego?

Pragnę również podziękować wszystkim lekarzom, pielęgniarkom, ratownikom medycznym, wszystkim służbom zaangażowanym w walkę z koronawirusem.

  Manon Aubry, au nom du groupe GUE/NGL. – Madame la Présidente, je voudrais tout d’abord exprimer, au nom de notre groupe de la gauche unitaire européenne, toute notre solidarité envers celles et ceux que l’épidémie de coronavirus touche le plus durement. Je pense aux plus vulnérables, aux plus âgés, à ceux que la maladie fragilise déjà et à qui nous devons assurer protection et soins. Je pense évidemment au peuple italien, violemment frappé par l’épidémie, et qui doit recevoir un soutien urgent de l’Union européenne.

Mes chers collègues, les crises mettent la réalité à nu. Elles écartent le superflu pour révéler le vrai visage de notre société, avec ses forces et ses faiblesses. Le coronavirus nous montre à quel point les dogmes du passé nous rendent fragiles, ébranlables, vulnérables, face aux crises que le marché est incapable de traiter.

L’austérité a mis à genoux nos hôpitaux publics. Partout en Europe, les soignants se mobilisent contre le délabrement généralisé de nos systèmes de santé. Et ce sont dans ces hôpitaux, déjà à l’asphyxie, que les médecins témoignent de l’atroce dilemme de devoir choisir entre deux patients, face à la pénurie de matériel et de personnel.

La mondialisation et le libre-échange nous ont privés de notre souveraineté. Le résultat, cela a été dit, est que 80 % des principes actifs de nos médicaments sont dorénavant produits hors d’Europe. Chaque crise mondiale nous met le dos au mur. La pénurie guette et nos étals se retrouvent totalement dépourvus. La dérégulation laisse libre cours à une spéculation sans limite qui touche les biens les plus vitaux. Le prix des gels hydroalcooliques par exemple, a déjà triplé en quelques jours. Il aura donc fallu attendre le coronavirus pour que les libéraux découvrent les ravages de la course au profit et les vertus de l’encadrement du marché.

La financiarisation a confié les rênes de notre économie à l’irrationalité et à l’individualisme, alors que la situation appelle au sang froid, à la pondération et à la coopération. Les cours de la bourse s’affolent et les spéculateurs s’écharpent, ajoutant encore du chaos au chaos. Il faudra bien sûr tirer les leçons de l’incapacité de ce système économique à garantir à nos pays la stabilité, la protection et la résilience. Il faudra apprendre de cette épreuve pour reprendre le pouvoir sur l’argent fou qui nous met tous en danger.

Aujourd’hui, au cœur de la crise, nous sommes bien sûr tous unis. Mais dès demain et tous les jours qui suivront, nous devrons réapprendre à être solidaires.

  Piernicola Pedicini (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io concordo con quanto è stato detto poc'anzi dalla collega.

Credo che, purtroppo, questa crisi stia mettendo davvero a dura prova l'Unione europea e temo che l'Unione europea non reggerà all'urto. Non ce la farà se non verranno superate alcune assurde regole interne, se non verranno superate alcuni ipocrisie ed egoismi di alcuni Stati membri. Né reggerà alla crisi sanitaria se, a due mesi dai primi casi e dai primi focolai in Cina, qui non abbiamo ancora un protocollo unico o una linea guida condivisa ed europea.

E non ce la farà a superare la crisi economica: ieri la Borsa tedesca ha chiuso a meno 9%, quella spagnola a meno 9%, quella francese a meno 10%, quella italiana a meno 13,5 %, e i Commissari europei per l'economia sono riusciti soltanto a dire che verrà concessa la flessibilità permessa dai trattati.

La flessibilità? Qui stiamo andando di fronte a una crisi totale e noi parliamo soltanto di flessibilità? In questo momento bisogna fare cose coraggiose: bisogna che la BCE intervenga finanziando l'economia reale e le imprese direttamente a fondo perduto. Questa è l'unica cosa che bisogna fare per uscire da questa catastrofe.

  Esther de Lange (PPE). – Voorzitter, natuurlijk zijn die twee minuten lang niet genoeg om in te gaan op alle uitdagingen waar het coronavirus ons voor stelt, en Manfred Weber heeft al aangegeven hoe wij de aanpak zien als EVP. En twee minuten zijn al helemaal niet genoeg om in te gaan op het verdriet van nabestaanden, op de angst van degenen die getroffen zijn of degenen die tot een kwetsbare groep behoren. Ik wil mijn spreektijd vooral gebruiken om degenen te bedanken die dag in, dag uit zorgen voor coronapatiënten en mensen die vrezen dat ze getroffen zijn door dit virus. Natuurlijk de artsen, maar vooral de verpleegkundigen die in al onze ziekenhuizen de frontlinie vormen tegen dit virus, en die vaak het onmogelijke doen – zeker in regio’s waar de ziekenhuizen al boven hun capaciteit moeten functioneren, en die – dat mag ook hier wel eens gezegd worden, ook al is het geen Europese bevoegdheid – in de meeste landen veel te weinig betaald krijgen. Ik weet dat er in mijn eigen lidstaat nu ook mensen flippen dat ik dit durf te zeggen in het Europees Parlement, maar het wordt tijd dat we onze verpleegkundigen waarderen en daar hoort ook waardering op financieel gebied bij.

Ik wil de Europese Commissie bedanken voor het feit dat ze het voortouw heeft genomen daar waar zij dat kan. Ik zie een Commissie die in tegenstelling tot crises een aantal jaren geleden wél gemeenschappelijk mensen, Europeanen, uit andere delen van de wereld repatrieert, die op allerlei fronten het initiatief neemt. Waar het nu vaak mis gaat, is daar waar de lidstaten aan zet zijn. En dan is het natuurlijk van de zotte dat ik wel in de Bild-Zeitung kan lezen welke Duitsers er besmet zouden zijn in Noord-Italië, maar dat de Duitse autoriteiten die informatie – in welke hotels zaten deze mensen, in welke gemeente – niet delen met diezelfde regio in het getroffen gebied zodat ze maatregelen kunnen nemen. Dit is niet het Europa waar ik voor sta. In het Europa waar ik voor sta, wordt dat soort informatie gedeeld en in het Europa waar ik voor sta, trekken we ook lessen voor de lange termijn uit deze crisis. Dan gaat het om de afhankelijkheid die we nu hebben van grondstoffen van andere delen van de wereld voor onze medicijnen. Dat is voor de lange termijn. Nu moeten we optreden. En ja, commissaris, samen kunnen we dit maar zorgen we ook voor onderzoek als er geen crisis meer is, en in de rustige tijd, zodat we een volgende keer goed voorbereid en beter voorbereid zijn.

  Jytte Guteland (S&D). – Fru talman! Herr och fru kommissionär! En dag som denna, och i dessa tider med corona, så går våra tankar förstås i första hand till alla de människor som insjuknat och till alla drabbade. Jag tänker också på det fantastiska jobb som vår vårdpersonal gör runtom i hela Europa, som ibland med risk för sin egen hälsa tar hand om alla dem som drabbats av viruset och kämpar för att hindra ytterligare smittspridning. Stort tack för ert arbete!

När samhället står inför den här påfrestande krisen och dess utmaningar, då måste vi alla dra åt samma håll. Jag glad över att flera av mina kollegor i plenum påtalar det. Med gemensamma krafter måste vi göra allt som står i vår makt för att minska smittspridningen, och vi måste med vetenskapen som grund och med lugn göra allt för att få kontroll över situationen. Att ge vård till de drabbade och hindra smittspridning måste vara vår första, andra och tredje prioritet. Europa här har ett stort ansvar att stå enade och med gemensamma krafter samarbeta så att vi ger bästa möjliga stöd till dem som har drabbats. Vi socialdemokrater, från den socialdemokratiska gruppen S&D, välkomnar att EU-kommissionen har avsatt drygt 230 miljoner euro i nödhjälp för att bekämpa epidemin. Det är mycket bra.

I vissa länder och regioner har man drabbats hårdare – och det har sagts här tidigare – av coronaviruset spridning. I går meddelade Italiens premiärminister Giuseppe Conte att Italien sätts i karantän. Det är givetvis en extraordinär åtgärd i ett väldigt allvarligt läge och våra tankar är förstås med det italienska folket i den tuffa prövning som man nu går igenom.

Sanningen är att vi i nuläget inte vet med säkerhet hur smittspridningen kommer att fortgå. De senaste dagarna har vi sett en väldigt stor ökning av antalet konstaterade fall runtom i Europa. Men oavsett hur situationen utvecklas framöver så råder det inget tvivel om att coronaviruset inte känner regions- eller landsgränser. Vi måste därför arbeta solidariskt och ta ett gemensamt grepp mot den här epidemin. Det gäller givetvis för Europas länder, men det gäller också utanför, det vill säga globalt. Vi har alla ett ansvar att göra det vi kan för att komma över den här krisen.

Jag vill bara avsluta med att säga att utsatta grupper är och kommer att bli mer drabbade också ekonomiskt, och där är det viktigt att vi alla ser vad som kan göras. Jag tänker i synnerhet på många av de kvinnor som kommer att bära kostnaderna för coronakrisen, inte minst genom att stanna hemma med barn och på olika sätt göra väldigt mycket av det som medför risk, men också tar hand om det här ekonomiskt. Det måste vi ha i våra tankar.

  Dragoş Pîslaru (Renew). – Madam President, dear colleagues, first I say to you all: let’s believe in Europe! Together we will act stronger and more effectively for the European citizens. This is our pledge. This is our mission. This is our purpose. We need an ambitious and coordinated response that’s clear for everyone to limit the outbreak – especially in terms of economic and social impact. All Member States should act together focusing on citizens’ well-being.

As part of Renew Europe, I would highlight the implementation of free actions to alleviate economic shocks. First, the Member States should use fiscal flexibility to ease the fiscal pressure on firms and self-employed workers affected by the crisis and postpone the deadlines for VAT payments and social security contributions. This should be the first oxygen given to them.

Second, we will, and we should, call for the European Investment Bank to become an essential partner that can make emergency liquidity available for SMEs to retail banks.

Thirdly, I sincerely hope that right now it’s clear for everyone, in the light of the current crisis, the necessity for the EU to have a facility that would support the creation of employment schemes to help regions hit particularly hard by the crisis, to allow for the reduction of working hours, preserving jobs and avoiding business disruptions – similar to the Kurzarbeit scheme in Germany, and this is very important.

Time is upon us. Let’s act together for the European citizens. Let’s not leave anyone behind, especially because vulnerable people are the first hit in the crisis.

  André Rougé (ID). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, bien évidemment, je voudrais avant tout adresser un message de compassion à toutes les victimes du virus qui perturbe la vie de tout un chacun.

M. Bruno Le Maire, ministre de l’économie et des finances de la France, déclarait hier: «Il y aura un avant et un après cette épidémie sur l’organisation de cette économie mondiale. Nous voyons bien combien il est important de réfléchir à une meilleure organisation des chaînes de valeur et à une relocalisation d’un certain nombre d’activités.» Ces propos de notre ministre donnent corps au discours que Marine Le Pen tient sur le localisme depuis des semaines et des mois.

Mais, au delà de cet aveu de M. Le Maire, l’épidémie de coronavirus est pour l’Union européenne un révélateur de la primauté de l’Europe des nations. Quand la santé de la population est en danger, vers qui les peuples se tournent-ils? Vers les nations. Qui peut agir vite et efficacement? Les nations. Qui contrôle les frontières? Les nations. Qui décide du confinement? Les nations. Les nations et non pas l’administration de la Commission, ne vous en déplaise. Et cela, même si M. Lenarčič fait entendre sa voix. La France va manquer de masques. Elle a décidé, le 4 mars, de réquisitionner les masques produits chez elle. Le 6 mars, M. Lenarčič a critiqué cette initiative du président de la République française. Même si c’est légal, il y a un risque d’affaiblir notre approche collective et notre capacité collective de faire face à la crise, a t-il dit.

En Italie, en Allemagne, en France et dans l’ensemble de l’Europe, les peuples sont inquiets. Alors laissez les nations coopérer entre elles et être efficaces chez elles.

  Petra De Sutter (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, I first want to start by expressing my empathy for the communities and the families affected by the virus, and also for the healthcare providers that have been helping them.

Indeed, we should not panic. This virus may not be as deadly as we think or as other viruses, but it will have indirect effects on health systems if we do not take the measures that are needed – and that is something that I want to explain in my intervention today.

I think you have all seen the curves of how an epidemic usually takes place. Well, we have to take all the measures possible to flatten that curve so that people do not infect other people. Usually people infected with this virus infect two to three other people, as we have learned already from the epidemiology of the virus.

We have to bring these numbers down so that, in total, people in the population do not get infected because, and let’s not forget this, there is no immunity in the population. So let’s not compare this with influenza. This has nothing to do with influenza where there is a high background immunity. This is a really different virus and the real danger is that the health systems, the healthcare systems are being overloaded.

I think we’ve all read the newspapers. Today we’ve seen what is happening in the northern part of Italy. Hospitals where people do not get beds, where intensive care beds are lacking because they can’t put the patients where they need to be. Indeed, we really have to do everything possible to contain that virus. I want to reinforce the call of the Commissioner that maybe we have to step up our measures to make sure that this virus is contained.

I’m not going to talk about the social and economic consequences. We all know these, but if we don’t do what is necessary to contain the virus and to look at the health aspects – also the indirect effects of this epidemic – the social and economic consequences will be much worse than they would be otherwise. So this should be our first priority also in this House.

  Alexandr Vondra (ECR). – Madam President, the coronavirus outbreak does not respect the borders in a free moving Europe, and what we have now seen in Italy we could easily see here in Brussels in two to three weeks. So there is no doubt that the EU can – and must – provide the added value to tackle this crisis in terms of a conditional and coordinated response in the area of temporarily limiting the free movement of people inside the EU as well as from the outside, or in the area of mobilising public and private financing and resources, but we not done so much on this.

For those who are expecting to have more Europe, there are two serious challenges in building trust from below, in projecting political power from above, and in proper management of the situation. Here is just one example. The Czech National Security Council, at Minister level, is dealing with this every morning, while the Commission is just meeting once a week. So wake up, wake up. It’s a test.

  José Gusmão (GUE/NGL). – Senhora Presidente, a expressão que ouvimos mais da parte da Comissão no início deste debate foi a expressão «medidas concretas». No entanto, a única coisa de que não ouvimos falar foi de «medidas concretas». Ouvimos falar de palavras caridosas e de videoconferências.

A Europa tem duas grandes responsabilidades perante a epidemia do coronavírus: a primeira é impedir o mais possível a sua propagação no espaço europeu agindo preventivamente, a segunda é lidar com os efeitos económicos desta epidemia, que estão garantidos mesmo que ela não venha a ser tão grave do ponto de vista da saúde pública quanto aquilo que tememos, e esperemos que não.

No entanto, a Comissão Europeia, em vez de vir aqui dizer aos Estados-Membros que invistam preventivamente em todos os seus serviços públicos a começar pelos serviços de saúde, precisamente para que a epidemia não seja tão grave e não tenha tantos efeitos do ponto de vista da saúde pública, em vez de vir aqui dizer que todo esse investimento será protegido pela Comissão Europeia, que nenhum país será perseguido por não cumprir as metas do défice para prosseguir esses investimentos, para prosseguir políticas de investimento nos serviços públicos, que são também políticas económicas contracíclicas, a Comissão Europeia veio dizer que o Pacto de Estabilidade e Crescimento já é muito flexível, que não são precisas medidas adicionais e, portanto, a Comissão Europeia, o que nos trouxe aqui, são vacuidades e, se houver Estados-Membros que façam aquilo que é preciso fazer para proteger os seus cidadãos e investir nos seus serviços de saúde, eu quero ver se ainda vão ter que enfrentar a perseguição da Comissão Europeia a seguir.

  Daniela Rondinelli (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, i dati ci dicono che l'epidemia che stiamo vivendo sta diventando una tragedia planetaria senza precedenti.

Se non interveniamo presto con misure forti, efficaci, proporzionate e condivise, tutta l'Europa collasserà.

Siamo consapevoli che gli Stati membri hanno la competenza in materia sanitaria ma l'Unione dovrebbe garantire i servizi aggiuntivi a tutti i cittadini europei, mentre oggi mancano misure minime europee condivise per bloccare la diffusione del virus

Il semplice scambio di informazioni tra Stati membri non è più sufficiente per risolvere l'emergenza: dobbiamo allora adottare un protocollo sanitario comune per individuare tutti i contagiati, prevedendo quindi misure atte a contrastare il contagio, gestire i malati e garantire a tutti cure adeguate.

Colleghi, lo sapete che in queste ore i medici negli ospedali italiani stanno scegliendo quali malati curare, perché non ci sono letti sufficienti in terapia intensiva?

E poi vorrei chiedere alla Commissione e a noi tutti: ma perché non riuniamo la comunità scientifica europea per trovare un vaccino comune a livello europeo? Perché stiamo aspettando che il vaccino venga trovato e verrà fornito in Europa da Cina, Stati Uniti o Israele?

Dobbiamo assolutamente porre in essere misure urgenti a livello europeo per contrastare tutti insieme questa grave emergenza.

  Peter Liese (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin! Ich möchte zu Beginn zunächst meine Solidarität mit allen Betroffenen zum Ausdruck bringen und meine Wertschätzung für alle, die gegen diese Epidemie kämpfen – vor allen Dingen die Menschen in Italien.

Was in Italien gerade passiert, ist dramatisch. Wir haben über das Wochenende die Meldung von mehreren hundert Todesfällen erhalten, und das zeigt, es ist eben – wie Frau De Sutter und andere sagen – keine normale Grippe; es ist sehr, sehr ernst. Wir müssen alles tun, um dramatische Situationen in allen Mitgliedstaaten zu vermeiden.

Dazu brauchen wir mehr Europa, eine stärkere europäische Antwort. Der deutsche Gesundheitsminister hat am Wochenende gesagt, das ECDC, unser Europäisches Zentrum, soll stark ausgebaut werden und mehr Kompetenzen bekommen. Diese Forderung müssen wir ganz schnell unterstützen und umsetzen. Rechtlich dauert das ein bisschen; aber ich appelliere an die Kommission und die Mitgliedstaaten, auf freiwilliger Basis schnell mehr Personal zur Verfügung zu stellen und einheitliche Empfehlungen – mit Hilfe des ECDC – auszuarbeiten.

Die meisten Empfehlungen sind bekannt. Aber ich möchte einen Punkt ansprechen und auch die Kommission bitten, das in ihre Kommunikationen aufzunehmen: Wir wissen, dass Menschen, die rauchen, sehr viel stärker vom Coronavirus befallen werden und dass es dadurch in dieser Gruppe auch sehr viel mehr Todesfälle gibt. Wer bisher noch keinen Grund gefunden hat, mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören, der hat jetzt einen, und dabei sollten wir die Menschen unterstützen.

Mein letzter Punkt: Natürlich ist Impfung wichtig, aber das kann dauern. Einige Patienten werden jetzt schon in den Krankenhäusern experimentell behandelt. Viren medikamentös zu behandeln, ist schwierig, aber es gibt Ansätze. Die Forscherinnen und Forscher, die das tun – in ganz Europa – sollten, alle Möglichkeiten finanzieller und sonstiger Art bekommen. Wir müssen alles tun, um sie zu unterstützen, damit die Erkenntnisse ganz schnell in ganz Europa verbreitet werden; damit die Patienten, die in Gefahr sind, die bestmögliche Therapie bekommen.

  Heléne Fritzon (S&D). – Fru talman! Fru kommissionär! Antalet fall av coronavirus ökar och våra tankar i dag går till alla drabbade och utsatta medborgare. Både Världshälsoorganisationen och EU:s smittskyddsmyndighet säger och bedömer att det är sannolikt att viruset fortsätter att spridas. Läget förändras från dag till dag och det är viktigt att EU fortsätter arbetet med hög beredskap och nödvändiga åtgärder som baseras på kunskap och fakta. Kommissionens beslut att avsätta medel till forskning och att upprätta ett insatsteam är därför väldigt bra.

FN:s barnfond, Unicef, har delat en bild på sociala medier som riktas till alla barn. I bilden står det ”Glöm inte”. ”Glöm inte att det finns många hjälpare därute som jobbar för att skydda dig – där finns familjen, lärare, sjuksköterskor och läkare”. I bilden står det också ”Det är inte ditt uppdrag att oroa dig, men tvätta dina händer”.

Alla våra medborgare ska känna sig trygga i att EU har en god hälso- och sjukvård och att alla EU:s medlemsstater säkerställer beredskap, tar ansvar, visar solidaritet och samarbetar. Därigenom kan våra medborgare, och också alla barn, känna sig trygga i att det finns många hjälpare som tar sitt ansvar och gör sitt yttersta för att hindra smittspridningen. Och precis som på den där bilden som Unicef har delat på sociala medier och som riktar sig till alla barn, så ska vi se till att alla – verkligen alla – nu tar sitt ansvar och såklart tvättar sina händer.

  Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, en ce jour de votre anniversaire, le moment viendra un jour pour l’Union européenne de dresser le bilan de cette épidémie: notre réactivité, notre capacité de coordination, notre souveraineté économique. Mais ce moment n’est pas venu. L’heure est à la prise de trois types de responsabilité politique.

L’exemplarité: des mesures fortes ont été prises dans ce Parlement européen pour limiter nos déplacements, qui sont un facteur important de propagation du virus, et ces mesures pourraient être renforcées.

La solidarité: car ce sont bien les plus vulnérables de nos concitoyens, les seniors, les patients atteints de cancer que nous voulons protéger d’un pays à l’autre et à l’intérieur d’un pays.

Et puis: la pédagogie et la communication que nous devons faire pour nos dirigeants et pour nos concitoyens.

Je n’ai pas le temps de détailler ce schéma extrait d’un dernier article du Lancet. Lisez-le. Il explique comment les mesures de protection intellectuelles et collectives permettent de juguler le pic épidémique tout en maintenant la soutenabilité des systèmes de santé et des économies.

(L’oratrice accepte de répondre à une question «carton bleu» (article 171, paragraphe 8 du règlement intérieur))

  Maria Grapini (S&D), Întrebare adresată conform procedurii „cartonașului albastru”. – Doamnă președintă, astăzi discutăm, într-o situație de criză, despre o problemă europeană. Nu credeți că ar trebui să știm concret de la Comisie, în afară de informarea generală, cu câți bani se suplimentează bugetul pentru a preveni, câți bani alocăm pentru materiale de prevenție, câți bani alocăm pentru medicamente, cum asigurăm securitatea granițelor în Uniunea Europeană?

Eu cred că acestea sunt măsurile cu care trebuie să mergem la noi în țară, să spunem guvernelor noastre să își asume responsabilitatea, dar și la nivel de Comisie Europeană trebuie să știm concret cât dăm la cercetare, cât dăm la prevenție.

  Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew), Réponse «carton bleu». – La prévention en matière d’épidémie infectieuse repose sur la vaccination. Les efforts de vaccination sont déjà financés par l’Union européenne, à hauteur de 10 millions d’un fonds spécial Horizon Europe et de 90 millions d’un fonds partenariat public-privé, soit 45 millions de la Commission européenne et 45 millions du privé. On peut toujours faire plus et il est possible que nous ayons la responsabilité de demander qu’Horizon Europe priorise la vaccination.

J’ai le temps de répondre à une seule question? Sur la sécurité des frontières... (La Présidente retire la parole à l’oratrice)

  Elena Lizzi (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signori Commissari, vi prego di dire alla Presidente von der Leyen che, dopo il coronavirus, nulla sarà come prima se l'Unione europea non darà risposte precise, puntuali, veloci, efficaci e solidali.

Ho sentito diversi interventi e molti di questi sono anche condivisibili, ma mi preoccupano alcuni aspetti, in particolare quello della solidarietà e quello dell'economia.

Io vengo da una terra che nel 1976 ha dovuto affrontare un evento tellurico che in sessanta secondi ha fatto mille morti e, anche se avevo otto anni a quell'epoca, io ho visto che cos'era la solidarietà, ho imparato che cos'è esprimere solidarietà e il popolo friulano ha manifestato solidarietà in tanti altri casi in cui altre popolazioni si sono trovate in situazione di bisogno.

Qui mi pare che si ritardi. Non voglio aggiungere tante cose a quanto è stato detto dai colleghi – le chiedo gentilmente di aspettare prima di azionare il martelletto – vorrei solo richiamare la necessità per gli Stati membri di poter incidere anche a livello economico per le piccole e medie imprese, che è quello che stanno chiedendo i governatori, che sono stati interrotti e tacciati anche di essere troppo...

(la Presidente toglie la parola all'oratrice)

  Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, tout d'abord je voudrais aussi exprimer ma solidarité vis-à-vis du personnel médical, parce qu'ils sont vraiment en première ligne, et toute ma peine vis-à-vis de ces très nombreuses victimes.

Concernant ce coronavirus, je dirais qu'il faut alerter sans alarmer. Alerter, il le faut, parce que c'est quand même une épidémie qui se propage dans plus de 100 pays. On voit même au niveau de l'Europe qu'on a de très nombreuses contaminations et on a aussi un taux de mortalité non négligeable.

Ce coronavirus est inconnu et ne dispose pas de traitements et de vaccins. Beaucoup de gens me parlent de vaccin, mais le vaccin, c'est au bout d'un an qu'on pourra l'utiliser après les essais cliniques. Le coronavirus touche au moins 15 % de personnes de façon plus ou moins sévère, dont 5 % nécessitent une réanimation et une assistance respiratoire, et quand on voit les taux de mortalité, ils varient entre 0,6 et 3,4 %. Mais ce qu'on ne dit pas, c'est qu'il y a plus de 80 % de gens qui développent une maladie bénigne. Ça, c'est important à dire.

Alors, est-ce que nous sommes prêts? C'est là que nous avons besoin quand même que la Commission interpelle les États. Parce que, quand on voit la situation en Italie et même aussi en France, on voit que nos systèmes sont vite saturés. À Milan, à l'heure actuelle, les systèmes sont saturés. Il faut vraiment encourager la mise en place de systèmes de réanimation pour faire face à ces nouvelles vagues de malades. En même temps, il faut interpeller tout le personnel médical. On appelle ça le plan blanc en France, où on fait appel aux réservistes parce que là, il y a véritablement urgence. Et je pense que les États ont mis un peu de temps à réagir. Il faut développer aussi la médecine ambulatoire pour les cas confinés à domicile.

Alors moi, j'ai une question à poser au Président du Parlement: qu'est-ce qu'on fait pour le Parlement? Parce qu'on est un véritable paquebot, avec des milliers de passagers. Et nous, nous sommes quand même des super-propagateurs. Je serais d'avis qu'on ferme le Parlement pendant un certain temps, qu'on suive la situation et ensuite qu'on revienne. Mais là, je trouve qu'on est dans une situation qui n'est pas tenable...

(La Présidente retire la parole à l'oratrice)

  Anna Zalewska (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Pani Komisarz! Myślę, że dzisiaj nie tylko jesteśmy z chorymi i ich rodzinami, ale również z lekarzami i pielęgniarkami, dlatego że oni potrzebują największego wsparcia, w tym wsparcia finansowego potrzebnego na sprzęt i lekarstwa. I to jest pierwsze zaangażowanie finansowe Komisji Unii Europejskiej, jakie powinno być. Drugie to informacja i komunikacja. Niestety ze strony Komisji Europejskiej nie słyszymy żadnych konkretów. Nie wiemy o żadnych procedurach i o tym, jak codziennie wygląda rzeczywistość dotycząca epidemii w Unii Europejskiej. Dobrze, że poszczególni ministrowie zdrowia, poszczególni szefowie państw wzajemnie się komunikują. Ale chcę powiedzieć, że powinniśmy też zwrócić uwagę na siebie. Dzisiaj jest z nami na sali człowiek chory. Jest to urzędnik. Widać go. Nie będę stygmatyzować jednocześnie. Nie ma ciepłej wody w żadnym kranie w Parlamencie Europejskim. Nie ma żadnej procedury, która obowiązywałaby parlamentarzystów i urzędników. I nie ma również wspólnych procedur dla wszystkich instytucji europejskich.

  Kateřina Konečná (GUE/NGL). – Paní předsedající, v prvé řadě je třeba si uvědomit, že v mnoha členských státech po mnoho let docházelo ke zcela nezodpovědné a likvidační politice škrtů. Docházelo k podfinancování zdravotnictví a k přetěžování zdravotnického personálu. Proto fakt, že jednotlivá zařízení ještě pořád situaci zvládají, je spíše než vítězstvím vlád vítězstvím silné vůle personálu, kterému bychom měli být vděčni. Díky nim a připravenosti ECDC a WTO není třeba panikařit. V tuto chvíli je zásadní prevence a objektivní informovanost. A co se týče agentury ECDC, ráda bych zde připomněla, že zde dlouhodobě volám po posílení této agentury jak v souvislosti s jejími pravomocemi, tak hlavně s jejím financováním. Protože jestli něco prokazuje její důležitost, je to právě tato epidemie a jsem moc vděčná, že jsem dnes od kolegů z PPE slyšela, že to také konečně pochopili.

Co je pro mě však podstatné, až usedne prach a epidemie skončí, je, abychom si z toho celého něco vzali. Zdá se totiž, že systém není nastaven tak, jak by měl. V prvé řadě nedostatek důležitého zdravotnického materiálu pro lidi v první linii, jako jsou doktoři, sestry a sociální pracovníci, je alarmující. Je zjevné, že jsme podcenili naše zásoby a schopnost tyto věci vyrábět. A to se musí do budoucna změnit a musí se toho změnit daleko víc a já pevně věřím, že až tuto krizi překonáme, jako že ji překonáme, čeká nás spousta práce na tom, abychom náš systém posílili.

  Κώστας Παπαδάκης (NI). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, στο πλαίσιο της υπεύθυνης στάσης απέναντι στην εξελισσόμενη επιδημία κορονοϊού ανήκει και η αποκάλυψη των τραγικών συνεπειών της πολιτικής της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης όλων των κυβερνήσεων που αντιμετωπίζουν την υγεία ως κόστος και ατομική ευθύνη, ως πεδίο κερδοφορίας για τους ομίλους μέσω της εμπορευματοποίησης.

Η ανησυχία της κυβέρνησης στην Ελλάδα να μη συμπέσει η όξυνση της γρίπης με τον νέο κορονοϊό μαρτυρά τη γύμνια σε ιατρικό νοσηλευτικό προσωπικό, μονάδες εντατικής θεραπείας και υποδομές. Αυτά δεν καλύπτονται από την υπερπροσπάθεια των υγειονομικών ούτε από τα μπαλώματα προσλήψεων με ολιγόμηνες συμβάσεις που εξαγγέλθηκαν. Επείγουσα ανάγκη είναι οι μόνιμες προσλήψεις, το άνοιγμα όλων των κλινών και υποδομών, η δωρεάν κρατική διάθεση υλικών προφύλαξης, εξετάσεων και φαρμάκων, καθώς και να παταχθεί η αισχροκέρδεια. Επίσης με κρατική απόφαση δεσμευτική για τους εργοδότες να υπάρχουν πλήρεις αποδοχές, ασφάλιση και εργασιακά δικαιώματα για όσους εργαζόμενους καλούνται να μείνουν στο σπίτι. Ο έγκαιρος σχεδιασμός πρόληψης, έρευνας, διάγνωσης, επιδημιολογικής επαγρύπνησης και προστασίας της δημόσιας υγείας συγκρούεται αντικειμενικά με τους νόμους του κέρδους και της ελεύθερης αγοράς.

  Dolors Montserrat (PPE). – Señora presidenta, necesitamos más liderazgo y más coordinación y seguir trabajando con la evidencia científica para dar una respuesta eficaz a esta emergencia que pone a prueba todo lo que significa Europa.

Nuestro primer objetivo es contener la propagación del virus para proteger a la población, como ya lo están consiguiendo los países asiáticos.

Nuestro segundo objetivo es dar soluciones ante el impacto sanitario, social y económico. En el ámbito sanitario, debemos priorizar proteger a la población más vulnerable: mayores, enfermos crónicos y otros enfermos. También debemos proteger a todo el personal sanitario y de seguridad, porque tienen más potencial de riesgo. Debemos fortalecer con recursos económicos los sistemas sanitarios para garantizar sus plantillas y los servicios de emergencia, urgencia, atención primaria y atención domiciliaria, y también para continuar atendiendo a los pacientes de otras enfermedades. También debemos poner en marcha compras centralizadas de material de protección, de diagnóstico y de tratamiento.

El coronavirus no se frena con alarmismo ni con miedo, sino con inteligencia, unidad y responsabilidad. Por ello, para evitar una depresión económica con consecuencias devastadoras para el empleo, el Partido Popular ha presentado un plan de choque con medidas económicas y de conciliación para ayudar a las familias, a los trabajadores y a los sectores económicos más afectados, como son el sector servicios, el turístico, el hotelero, el industrial, los autónomos y las pymes. Exigimos al Gobierno de España, al Consejo, que se reúne esta tarde, y a la Comisión que hagan uso de todos los recursos financieros disponibles para paliar los efectos negativos en la economía y que ayuden a fortalecer los sistemas sanitarios y los sistemas de comunicación.

  Simona Bonafè (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nei momenti straordinari occorre il coraggio di mettere in campo azioni straordinarie.

Il mio paese, l'Italia, si è assunto la responsabilità di prendere misure drastiche senza precedenti per provare a formare l'avanzata del contagio. Ma l'allarme per l'impatto del coronavirus sulla salute dei cittadini europei e sulle nostre economie va preso molto sul serio in tutta l'Europa. Ognuno deve fare la sua parte: anche l'Europa.

Le prime mosse della Commissione sono state necessarie. Tuttavia l'esclusione delle spese per far fronte all'epidemia dal calcolo del deficit sono insufficienti: le nostre economie, già deboli, non reggeranno l'urto del coronavirus se l'Europa non si attrezza subito, con politiche strutturali di investimenti, necessarie per ripartire.

Ma sia chiaro: prima fermiamo il contagio e prima fermeremo il collasso economico. La Commissione appronti un programma di azione comune; prenda immediatamente ogni iniziativa utile a rafforzare il coordinamento fra Stati, avere protocolli comuni, spingere sulla ricerca e sullo studio del vaccino; costituisca una centrale d'acquisto europea per reperire e smistare i materiali necessari alla prevenzione e alle cure ed evitare, così, un'inutile e dannosa concorrenza fra Stati.

Il coronavirus è un'altra emergenza che ci dice che niente oggi può essere affrontato solo dentro i confini nazionali. Serve più solidarietà fra Stati.

L'immagine più significativa di questi giorni difficili è quella di un'infermiera di un reparto di terapia intensiva di un ospedale italiano che, dopo un turno estenuante di lavoro, appoggia la testa sulla scrivania e – con ancora i guanti, la mascherina il camice – crolla esausta.

Con quell'immagine negli occhi oggi guardo a questo Parlamento, guardo ai Commissari, guardo alla Presidenza del Consiglio: questo è il momento, per tutti, di scelte coraggiose! È il momento per tutti di scelte straordinarie!

  Nicola Danti (Renew). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, il coronavirus sta mettendo in pericolo la vita di tanti cittadini di tutti i paesi europei.

La tutela della salute è quindi una priorità assoluta: per raggiungere questo obiettivo le Istituzioni europee devono mettere a punto una strategia comune di contrasto alla diffusione, sostenere un rapido approvvigionamento dei dispositivi medici per la cura e finanziare la ricerca per la scoperta di un vaccino che possa debellare il virus.

Purtroppo all'emergenza sanitaria corrispondono già oggi pesanti conseguenze economiche: dobbiamo sostenere il sistema produttivo, avviare un grande piano di investimenti pubblici, permettere che gli Stati membri e gli operatori economici siano in grado di adottare misure straordinarie per difendere il lavoro, garantire liquidità, proteggere dalla speculazione i bilanci nazionali.

Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, in questi giorni decine di migliaia di medici, infermieri e ricercatori stanno lavorando senza sosta per salvare vite umane, con turni massacranti e senza giorni di riposo. L'Europa, e noi, dobbiamo essere all'altezza della generosità, dell'altruismo e della professionalità di queste donne e di questi uomini.

  Roman Haider (ID). – Frau Präsidentin. Das Coronavirus stellt unsere Gesellschaften weltweit auf eine Probe. Es wird sich zeigen, wie wir es schaffen, mit dieser Pandemie umzugehen. Es wird sich auch zeigen, was all unsere Notfallpläne wert sind. Es wird sich auch zeigen, inwieweit wir imstande sind, mit den negativen Nebenwirkungen dieser Pandemie umzugehen: Wie vermeidet man Panik und Hysterie, ohne untätig zu wirken? Wie gibt man der Bevölkerung das Gefühl der Sicherheit, ohne übertriebene Maßnahmen zu setzen? Wie hält man den Wirtschaftskreislauf und die Versorgung am Leben?

Kurz zusammengefasst: Es wird sich zeigen, wie hoch die Resilienz unserer modernen weltweit vernetzten Gesellschaft ist. Was man aber schon jetzt feststellen kann ist: Das Europäische Parlament hat diese Probe nicht bestanden. Die zweitgrößte demokratische Vertretung der Welt ist angesichts dieser Bedrohung ein Hort der Planlosigkeit, der Schnellschüsse und leider auch der Doppelmoral.

Mitarbeiter sollen einerseits einen Seite schon beim kleinsten Anzeichen einer Erkältung zu Hause bleiben, lokale Mitarbeiter dürfen überhaupt gar nicht erst anreisen, Besuchergruppen werden ausgeladen; und auf der anderen Seite werden wir Abgeordneten, wie gestern am Flughafen Zaventem geschehen, in Fünfundzwanziger-Bussen – bis auf den letzten Platz vollgepfercht – durch die Gegend gekarrt; und dann dürfen wir uns bei Eröffnung der Sitzung vom Präsidenten anhören, wir sollen einen Meter Abstand voneinander halten.

Anstatt – und das ist die Krönung – uns in Ausschüssen mit dieser Pandemie zu beschäftigen, wird alles abgesagt– nur eines nicht: eine Anhörung zum Klimaschutz. Also hier wird wirklich Doppelmoral gelebt.

Präsident Sassoli hat in dieser Situation, muss man sagen, versagt. Ich hoffe, dass unsere nationalen Parlamente und unsere nationalen Regierungen mit dieser Bedrohung besser umgehen.

  President. – President Sassoli is acting on the best advice from our medical services. This is an evolving situation and we all have personal responsibility to cooperate with the measures.

  Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, bonjour et bonjour à tous. Face au coronavirus, les réactions des États membres sont variées. Je ne crois pas qu'à ce stade, nous puissions déjà évaluer quelles ont été les bonnes ou les mauvaises, mais nous constatons que nous manquons de préparation et de moyens pour faire face à ce type de crise sanitaire.

La Commission a investi des millions d'euros dans la recherche et a tenté de coordonner les réponses des États membres. Mais les citoyens restent inquiets et se posent des questions. Et pour cause: nous ne savons pas si les mesures prises sont réellement proportionnées, nous ne savons pas vraiment quelles sont les indications données par la Commission et nous ne savons surtout pas si les soins donnés aux citoyens et citoyennes sont partout les mêmes. Quid de l'accès aux tests et des remboursements dans les différents États membres?

Cette crise est aussi une occasion de nous remettre en question, de remettre en question nos systèmes de santé, parce qu'ils sont fragilisés et incapables de réagir face à des épidémies d'une telle ampleur. Au nom de l'austérité, l'Europe n'a pas consacré de soutien ni d'investissements à des systèmes de santé coordonnés. Si cette crise nous enseigne quelque chose, c'est le besoin criant d'une Europe sociale qui investisse dans l'accès aux meilleurs soins pour toutes et tous.

  Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová (ECR). – Madam President, I really think what we are doing right now is quite irresponsible. You encouraged MEPs from all over the Europe to sit in one room and discuss the coronavirus. We are politicians, not experts, and I truly believe that discussions about the coronavirus should take place at an expert level. We have also exposed everyone who works here to a big risk – the staff members, the drivers, the cleaners, the chefs who have to be here, because the MEPs are here.

Just one remark: in Slovakia, we have seven cases of corona, and most of schools and children’s facilities are closing down. In the UK, they close their parliament. The numbers in Belgium are rising exponentially. But the European Parliament is talking about corona with 700 MEPs from all over the European Union, and the European schools and crèches continue operating together with our kids. I really think we need a serious discussion at expert level.

  Manuel Bompard (GUE/NGL). – Madame la Présidente, la crise du coronavirus met durement à l’épreuve nos sociétés. Elle nécessite une réponse sereine et déterminée, débarrassée des polémiques politiciennes. C’est en effet là une condition pour que les consignes soient comprises et donc suivies, pour que nous parvenions ainsi à endiguer la propagation du virus. Mais cette crise montre aussi nos faiblesses.

C’est d’abord la situation préoccupante de nos systèmes de soins mis à mal par les politiques d’austérité de l’Union européenne. Je veux saluer ici la mobilisation exemplaire des personnels de santé, en regrettant que, souvent, l’on ne pense à eux ou à elles que dans les moments de crise.

C’est aussi le rapport de nos sociétés à leur environnement. Car nous savons désormais que la destruction des habitats naturels, la déforestation ou l’élevage intensif favorisent la diffusion de ce type de virus.

C’est enfin la question de notre souveraineté dans la production de médicaments, bafouée par une absence totale de vision stratégique qui a conduit à ce que 80 % des principes actifs des médicaments soient aujourd’hui produits en dehors de l’Union européenne.

Alors oui, répondons ensemble à l’urgence du moment mais tirons-en aussi des enseignements pour demain.

  Mislav Kolakušić (NI). – Gospođo predsjedavajuća, poštovani kolege, mi se nalazimo u dosad nezabilježenoj kampanji širenja straha. Ta kampanja mora odmah stati. Podaci o oboljelima i umrlima prezentiraju se građanima Europe i građanima svijeta bez usporednih podataka s ostalim oboljenjima. Primjerice, četiri tisuće ljudi je do sada umrlo od zaraze koronavirusom. Svake godine prema podacima Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije u svijetu umre od 300 do 650 tisuća građana od gripe, što znači 150 puta više.

Pozivam vas na zdrav razum, da ne zatvaramo vrata Parlamentu jer time šaljemo poruku svima, znači zaposlenima u trgovinama hrane, ljekarnama, benzinskim postajama da i oni imaju pravo zatvoriti svoja radna mjesta. Time će svijet i Europa kakvu poznajemo nestati. Ne sudjelujemo u širenju straha, iznosimo činjenice onakve kakve jesu.

  Edina Tóth (PPE). – Tisztelt Elnök asszony! Európában látványosan terjed a koronavírus. A megbetegedések és a halálozások száma napról napra nő. A vírus terjedése előre nem meghatározható, országról országra, óráról órára változik. Miközben mi itt a járványról beszélünk, újabb eseteket regisztrálnak az Unió számos tagállamában. Mi, politikusok ezekért az emberekért felelősséggel tartozunk, az emberek élete és biztonsága számunkra az első, ezért cselekednünk kell! Általánosságban elmondható, hogy az állampolgárok biztonságérzete meggyengült, és csak akkor fog újra helyreállni, ha ezt a kihívást helyesen kezeljük, a betegséget megfékezzük. A megoldás a vakcina lenne, de jelenleg ilyen sajnos még nincs, viszont bízom benne, hogy mielőbb lesz.

Továbbá szeretném felhívni a figyelmet a hiteles, naprakész információk fontosságára. Hazámban, Magyarországon a kormány létrehozott egy honlapot, valamint egy 24 órában elérhető, ingyenesen hívható ügyeleti központot is az emberek rendelkezésére bocsátott. Úgy gondolom, hogy ez jó példája a hatékony koordinációnak. Amennyiben a járvány elhúzódik, további kedvezőtlen folyamatok indulhatnak el. Az elhúzódó bizonytalanság, az üzleti bizalom romlása a fogyasztási és a beruházási keresletet csökkentheti, ami gazdasági visszaesést hozhat magával. Ezért is nagyon fontos, hogy támogassuk vállalkozásainkat, és kérem a Bizottságot és az Európai Beruházási Bankot, hogy nyújtson segítséget e rendkívüli helyzetben is a leginkább érintett ágazati szektorok részére.

  Biljana Borzan (S&D). – Poštovana gospođo predsjedavajuća, cijenjene kolegice i kolege, nalazimo se u situaciji u kojoj se za sada ne nazire kraj. Izuzetno je bitno da Europska unija i države članice poslože prioritete.

Prvi prioritet iznad svih je naravno zaštita života i zdravlja ljudi. Drugo je poduzimanje mjera kako bi se ekonomska šteta svela na najmanju moguću razinu, a zadnje ali ne manje važne su lekcije koje ćemo kao društvo i unija izvući iz ovoga. Ovu situaciju treba shvatiti vrlo ozbiljno, ali je također važno ne širiti paniku i lažne vijesti. Kada sve ovo završi i život se vrati u normalu, potrebno je sagledati i istražiti slijed događaja koji je doveo do epidemije te mjere koje su poduzimale države članice i Europska unija – jesu li te mjere dale rezultate, koji su potezi povučeni prekasno koji prerano, što se propustilo da bi se širenje virusa obuzdalo.

Još jednom na bolan način pokazalo se da virusi ne poštuju državne granice i rampe. Toga su svjesni i naši građani koji u golemoj većini smatraju da Europska unija treba imati veliku ulogu u odgovoru na ovakve ugroze i situacije. Prema Eurobarometru, čak 90 % građana ima takav stav što svakako obvezuje. Europska unija može u skladu s ovlastima odigrati važnu ulogu u upravljanju ovom i sličnim krizama. Neki od aspekata krize poput opskrbe lijekovima su globalni kao i kao takvi zahtijevaju zajednički europski odgovor. Kada je odgovor na ekonomske posljedice krize u pitanju, apeliram na sve dionike da se što prije postigne dogovor oko novog višegodišnjeg proračuna. To je preduvjet da Unija mobilizira sve alate za podršku gospodarstvima u ugroženim državama članicama.

Zaključno, s obzirom koliko naših članova koristi slobodu rada i kretanja, smatram kako je iznimno bitno da se tijekom trajanja epidemije poštuju prava građana Europske unije, poput europske zdravstvene iskaznice te prava putnika na pomoć i odštetu. Ova situacija pokazat će kako ta europska postignuća funkcioniraju tijekom izvanrednih situacija.

  Dita Charanzová (Renew). – Madam President, the Director—General of the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday that the threat of a pandemic has become very real, but that it would be the first pandemic that could be controlled. The measures we take therefore strongly influence the trajectory of the coronavirus.

Each Member State is doing the best it can to combat the coronavirus. But, in a continent where people can move freely, we must act together. While I am hesitant to draw any conclusions already, what remains clear is that we cannot address, prevent or delay this epidemic without coordinating at a European level. We need to establish regular communication to exchange information and best practices more efficiently, and we need a united response. The world has sadly not seen the end of this epidemic but, if Europe acts as one now, we will be able to make a difference and not be at the mercy of this virus.

  Mara Bizzotto (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, sul coronavirus l'Europa è stata, ancora una volta, totalmente assente. Bruxelles non ha fatto nulla per combattere l'emergenza sanitaria ed economica scoppiata in Italia e in tutti i paesi europei. Anzi, invece di fermare subito gli arrivi dalla Cina, l'Europa ha trattato da appestati di italiani provenienti dal Veneto, dalla Lombardia e dall'Emilia Romagna: una vera e propria vergogna per la quale l'Europa deve chiedere scusa a tutti gli italiani.

Il coronavirus ha scatenato un cataclisma sanitario ed economico che va affrontato con misure eccezionali: ecco perché servono fondi straordinari e questi soldi servono subito, prima che sia troppo tardi.

Al diavolo i vincoli europei! Al diavolo il patto di stabilità! Al diavolo i vostri "zero virgola": gli italiani non possono morire di virus o di fame per i vincoli di bilancio. Perché, se non lo avete ancora capito, qui è in pericolo la vita degli italiani e l'economia del nostro paese.

Noi useremo tutti i soldi che serviranno, perché abbiamo il dovere di salvare la vita di milioni di italiani e la vita di milioni di imprese. Cari burocrati europei, questa è la vostra ultima occasione per dimostrare che l'Europa esiste davvero.

(L'oratrice accetta di rispondere a una domanda "cartellino blu" (articolo 171, paragrafo 8, del regolamento))

  Ljudmila Novak (PPE), Vprašanje, postavljeno z dvigom modrega kartončka. – Gospa predsednica! Najprej bom izrazila moje sočustvovanje z vsemi, ki so zboleli za koronavirusom in še posebej vsem v Italiji, ampak že nekaj poslancev iz Italije sem slišala obtoževati Evropsko unijo, česa vse ni naredila. Jaz se pa vprašam, ali ste se vprašali, ali je Italija vse naredila, da se koronavirus ne bi tako širil. Vse obolele, skoraj vse, ki jih imamo v Sloveniji, ki smo na meji z Italijo, so prišli iz Italije, z italijanskih letališč in drugih območij, zato vas sprašujem, ali je Italija... (Predsednica govornici odvzame besedo.)

  Mara Bizzotto (ID), risposta a una domanda "cartellino blu". – L'Europa ha sottovalutato il problema: l'OMS aveva detto che il problema era grave, come quello del terrorismo, e l'Europa non ha fatto nulla per evitare l'arrivo del virus dalla Cina.

Doveva agire subito: dovevano essere bloccati subito i voli. Questo non è stato fatto e adesso stiamo pagando le conseguenze. Però, ve lo dico con il cuore in mano, dobbiamo tutti lottare per evitare che questo contagio raggiunga tutti gli Stati europei.

  Grace O'Sullivan (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, first I extend my deepest sympathies to individuals and families affected by Covid-19 around the world. This is above all a human tragedy.

As anxiety grows and people’s awareness of the challenges become coloured by panic and disinformation, ambitious, far—reaching leadership is needed. The EU can help, as we can here in the Parliament, with multifaceted, collective action, informed by the best science and policy available. Europe must acknowledge frontline medical teams, whilst acknowledging the precarity of the global economy. We need cross-sector protection and temporary support to areas such as crucial food distribution chains, industry and transport. With Covid-19 cases moving towards pandemic levels, leaders must not allow the virus to be outflanked by the very real power of fear.

  Geert Bourgeois (ECR). – Voorzitter, volksgezondheid is een bevoegdheid van de lidstaten. Crisismanagement is dat evenzeer. Ik hoop dat alle lidstaten naar behoren hun taak vervullen. Artikel 168 geeft een opdracht aan de Commissie, met name om de coördinatie te bevorderen. Dit is een grensoverschrijdende bedreiging en er is al veel gebeurd door de Commissie, waarvoor mijn dank. Maar ik vraag om nog meer te coördineren tussen de lidstaten, met name inzake preventie, resultaten van diverse behandelingen, ontsmetting, hoe om te gaan met massabijeenkomsten – dat is een zeer verschillende aanpak–, hoe om te gaan met quarantaine enzovoort.

Ten tweede stel ik vast dat wij afhankelijk zijn van derde landen voor ontsmettingsmiddelen, geneesmiddelen en dergelijke meer. Ik vraag met klem beleid te ontwikkelen om ervoor te zorgen dat ons half miljard inwoners in de toekomst niet afhankelijk is van geneesmiddelen en ontsmettingsmiddelen uit het buitenland.

  Sira Rego (GUE/NGL). – Señora presidenta, es curioso cómo a veces los enemigos más pequeños son los que revelan nuestras grandes debilidades. Hemos visto cómo, sin un Estado fuerte, sin un sistema público de calidad, sin sistemas de salud públicos y universales, el control y la prevención son mucho más complicados.

Ayer veíamos cómo las bolsas se desplomaban; volvíamos a escuchar lo de la prima de riesgo; volvíamos a escuchar la guerra de los precios del petróleo. En definitiva, una histeria de los mercados ante cualquier cosa que afecte a los más ricos. Les recuerdo que algunos de los países todavía no nos hemos recuperado de la estafa de 2008.

Por eso, entendemos que ahora es un momento de sensatez, de poner los recursos en función del interés general, de huir de las recetas de quienes de forma obscena están aprovechando esta crisis para plantear más recetas basadas en los recortes y, sobre todo, de aprovechar el debate sobre el presupuesto europeo para respondernos a una gran pregunta: si queremos más recortes o si vamos a apostar por los servicios públicos para ser más fuertes frente a posibles crisis.

  Tomislav Sokol (PPE). – Poštovana gospođo potpredsjednice, prvo bih iskoristio ovu priliku da iskažem svoje suosjećanje sa svim onima pogođenim ovim virusom, a isto tako i podršku svim zdravstvenim radnicima u cijeloj Europi u svijetu koji se bore protiv ove bolesti.

Radi se o golemom problemu kako humanitarnom s više od 500 smrtnih slučajeva samo u Europi, više od petnaest tisuća zaraženih do sada, ali o nečemu što već sada ostavlja goleme i vrlo teške posljedice na gospodarstvo svih država članica, a nekih više nego drugih. Europska unija napravila je s obzirom na sve okolnosti ono što je mogla, kako Komisija tako i Hrvatska predsjedanjem Vijećem.

Međutim, ono što je pokazala ova kriza je to da nam je potrebna europska zdravstvena politika. Činjenica da članak 168. Ugovora ograničava europske ovlasti u ovom smislu, ali vjerujem da se i u okviru sadašnjih ovlasti može napraviti dosta, ali isto tako i da je potrebno razmišljati i o povećanju ovlasti Europske unije u području zdravstva. Mislim prvenstveno na zajedničke protokole. Mislim na veća ulaganja u istraživanje i razvoj. Isto tako, i ono što je spomenuto već prije rasprave, a to je ujednačavanje standarda pružanja zdravstvene zaštite u različitim državama. Ti standardi su danas jako različiti ovisno o financijskim mogućnostima, a mislim da Europska unija može učiniti mnogo kroz svoje financijske instrumente, kroz proračun, kroz Europsku investicijsku banku kako bi pomogla državama članicama da svi građani Europske unije imaju isti standard zdravstvene zaštite.

I na kraju, ono što je posebno bitno jest iskazati solidarnost s onima najteže pogođenima kako s Italijom, ali i s drugim državama koje će pretrpjeti veliku štetu. Tu spada i moja država Hrvatska koja već sada u turizmu, koji je jako važan za njeno gospodarstvo, trpi velike štete tako da nam je potrebna europska solidarnost. Pokažimo da Europska unija može učiniti razliku i pomoći svim građanima Europe.

  Brando Benifei (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghe e colleghi, l'avanzamento del coronavirus in tutti i Paesi europei sta procedendo a un ritmo preoccupante. Sbaglia chi ritiene l'Italia un caso particolare, visto che i dati degli altri paesi, come Francia e Germania, non solo mostrano un tasso di incremento identico dei casi, seppure con nove giorni di ritardo. Purtroppo temo che non tutti lo abbiano ancora capito.

Bisogna invece capire che l'Italia non è il paese colpito più di tutti ma colpito per primo e che da subito ha adottato misure drastiche, che saranno costretti a prendere tutti se non ci sarà subito una reazione comune estremamente forte.

Grazie per la solidarietà e il supporto per le prime misure che sono state prese ma non basterà: oggi avrà luogo una videoconferenza tra i capi di Stato e di governo ma in ampio ritardo rispetto all'urgenza e alla gravità della situazione.

Serve una risposta concreta, rapida e coordinata a livello europeo, in primis sulle misure in campo sanitario. Serve poi un pacchetto di stimolo fiscale per far fronte all'impatto economico negativo. Servono ampi margini di spesa per gli Stati membri per far fronte all'emergenza sociale. Parliamo di molti miliardi, per finanziare interventi a sostegno di imprese e famiglie, lavoratori dipendenti, autonomi e di gruppi vulnerabili come gli anziani soli.

Abbiamo bisogno di un consorzio europeo per la ricerca sul COVID-19, per sviluppare noi un vaccino e le cure, per sostenere la creazione di una centrale d'acquisto europea per reperire e smistare i materiali necessari alla prevenzione e alle cure, mettendo fuori gioco ogni possibile speculazione e tentativo di sciacallaggio.

Abbiamo bisogno di fare questo rapidamente, con un Parlamento europeo che già dalla prossima settimana ricominci a lavorare.

L'Unione europea oggi ha l'ultima chiamata per dimostrare che non è solo un progetto di integrazione, che ha visto la sua gloria nei decenni passati e che oggi è invece condannata alla rovina, per non essere stata capace di adattarsi a un mondo che cambia, anche in termini di minacce globali come queste.

Io invece credo a questo progetto: dobbiamo crederci e combattere insieme con azioni concrete e rapide come quelle che ho citato, per difendere il futuro degli europei e dell'umanità intera.

  Nicola Beer (Renew). – Frau Präsidentin, verehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Der Coronavirus ist eine Gefahr für Gesundheit und Leben der Bevölkerung, aber er betrifft mittlerweile auch unsere Wirtschaft zunehmend hart. Reisen, Kongresse, Messen werden abgesagt, Lieferketten unterbrochen. Die Einnahmen fallen weg, aber die Ausgaben bleiben. Kurz gesagt: Auch kerngesunde Unternehmen sind jetzt in Liquiditätsnot, und zwar völlig unabhängig von ihrem Geschäftsmodell oder ihrer Leistung.

Meines Erachtens brauchen wir in dieser Situation zwei Sachen. Das Eine ist: Wir müssen die Arbeitnehmer schützen und dazu den Unternehmen, und zwar solchen Unternehmen, die unverschuldet in diese Lage geraten sind, eine Liquiditätsüberbrückung gewähren. Dafür brauchen wir Möglichkeiten, Kurzarbeit zu vereinfachen. Wir brauchen Steuerzahlungen und Sozialabgabenzahlungen, die über einige Monate gestundet werden. Überbrückungskredite müssen verfügbar gemacht werden, denn das billige Geld ist da. Aber solche Kreditentscheidungen müssen schneller getroffen werden. Und es braucht sicherlich zur Absicherung auch staatliche Bürgschaften. Und dann, wenn wir hier eine Notifizierung der EU dazu brauchen, dann muss auch dies schneller geschehen.

Als Zweites brauchen wir einen Wachstumspakt, damit wir in Wachstum investieren und den Mittelstand stärken und Bürokratie abbauen.

  Alessandra Basso (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la poetessa Lamarque scriveva "Senti che tosse, che tosse infernale. La tosse del cuore, fa troppo male. La tosse del cuore non fa respirare."

In questi giorni non c'è la tosse del cuore ma una tosse mortale. Il momento che stiamo vivendo è pieno di anomalie e ci impone una riflessione: in una società che prima viaggiava ad alta velocità questo nemico invisibile ci ha imposto uno stop.

Cerchiamo di vedere anche "i lati positivi": in questi tempi, dove si pensava solo al proprio orto, il virus ci ha mandato un messaggio chiaro. Approfittiamo di questo momento buio per riscoprire il senso di comunità; riscopriamo la responsabilità condivisa e pensiamo che dalle nostre azioni dipendono le sorti delle persone più fragili vicine a noi.

In Italia gli ospedali sono messi alla prova, anche se tutto il personale sta tenendo duro. I problemi economici, che già in alcuni settori come il turismo, sono evidenti esigono una risposta immediata.

L'Europa poco ha fatto finora. l'Italia ha chiesto aiuto e mi auguro che questo appello troverà una risposta positiva. Dobbiamo evitare che, oltre ai morti in ospedale, ci si ritrovi con imprenditori che si impiccano in azienda, uccisi non dal virus ma dalla crisi.

  President. – There is a blue—card request which I’m going to decline because of time purposes, so apologies for that.

  Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin, meine Damen und Herren! Vielen Dank für diese Debatte, und sie zeigt sehr deutlich, warum wir eigentlich mehr Europa brauchen.

Wir haben zwar mit dem ECDC, dem Europäischen Zentrum für die Prävention und die Kontrolle von Krankheiten, ein gemeinsames Zentrum für genau diese Situation. Aber das bedeutet ja leider noch lange nicht, dass sich alle Mitgliedstaaten gleichermaßen den Empfehlungen dieses Zentrums anschließen. Stattdessen erleben wir eine Kleinstaaterei in der Europäischen Union, wo jeder Mitgliedstaat seine eigenen Ideen propagiert. Sogar in meinem Heimatland – innerhalb der einzelnen Bundesstaaten – ist die Reaktion ganz unterschiedlich. Ich glaube, da ist noch Luft nach oben, da können wir besser werden.

Und zur Luft: Ich finde es unbegreiflich, dass wir in der Finanzkrise diese idiotische Regelung, dass eine Airline ihren Start- und Landeslot verliert, wenn sie ihn nicht zu 80 %der Zeit nutzt, problemlos aussetzen konnten. Jetzt antwortet GD MOVE auf eine dezidierte Anfrage einer Airline, ob das nicht auch im Fall von Corona angemessen wäre, und GD MOVE sagt: Nein, das ist nicht notwendig. Jetzt fliegen Flugzeuge leer durch die Gegend. Was für ein Quatsch ist das denn?

  Elżbieta Kruk (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Zastanówmy się, z czym mamy do czynienia: czy koronawirus to realne zagrożenie, adekwatne do medialnej paniki? Oczywiście nie można go lekceważyć, ale trzeba sobie zdawać sprawę, że potencjalne niebezpieczeństwo w porównaniu z innymi chorobami-zabójcami nie jest aż tak duże. Co roku choćby na grypę umiera na świecie co najmniej pół miliona ludzi. Dziś wygląda na to, że wirus stanowi większe zagrożenie dla światowej gospodarki niż zagrożenie zdrowotne. Notujemy spadki na giełdach, traci turystyka, linie lotnicze, organizatorzy imprez.

Tymczasem w ostatnich dniach histeria przeniosła się z mediów również do naszej instytucji, odwołano znaczną część wydarzeń i wizyt gości, no oczywiście poza wizytą Grety Thunberg, zawieszono sesję plenarną, nawołuje się nawet do zamknięcia Parlamentu. Chaotyczne działania Prezydium w tym zakresie wynikają być może z obawy, że zamknięcie Izby wywoła niezadowolenie społeczne. Myślę jednak, że gdyby tak się stało, poza samym Parlamentem mógłby nawet tego nikt nie zauważyć. Oby nie okazało się, że pogromcą Unii Europejskiej okaże się nie brexit, nie sentymenty antyunijne, a koronawirus. Zachowujmy...(Przewodnicząca odebrała mówczyni głos)

  Μαρία Σπυράκη (PPE). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, Επίτροπε Κυριακίδου, η αντιμετώπιση των εκτάκτων συνθηκών που προκαλεί η μετάδοση του κορονοϊού απαιτεί γενναία χρηματοδότηση, ισχυρή πολιτική βούληση και εμπλοκή όλων, μα όλων, των πολιτών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.

Σήμερα καλούμε την Επιτροπή και το Συμβούλιο να προχωρήσουν γρήγορα στην υιοθέτηση έκτακτης ευελιξίας στους κανόνες για τις κρατικές ενισχύσεις, προκειμένου τα κράτη μέλη να μπορούν να στηρίξουν τις επιχειρήσεις που πλήττονται. Στη χώρα μου, την Ελλάδα, ο τουρισμός δίνει το 25% του ΑΕΠ και οι επιχειρήσεις που σχετίζονται με τον τουρισμό πλήττονται πρώτες απ’ όλους.

Γι’ αυτό, ειδικά για την Ελλάδα, είναι απαραίτητο να υπάρχει ευελιξία και στο σκέλος των πρωτογενών πλεονασμάτων, δεδομένου ότι το ένα τέταρτο της οικονομικής μας δραστηριότητας χρειάζεται στήριξη τώρα και όχι αύριο. Είναι επίσης απαραίτητο να επιδεικνύουμε ως κράτη μέλη αλληλεγγύη στην πράξη και όχι να περιχαρακωνόμαστε, όπως, για παράδειγμα, να απαγορεύουμε την εξαγωγή της ιατρικής μάσκας, αντί να ενισχύσουμε την παραγωγή της, ή να τις επιτάσσουμε. Είναι απαραίτητο και μπορούμε να το κάνουμε, να εξασφαλίσουμε την επάρκεια σε φάρμακα και σε απαραίτητα αλλά υποστηρίγματα, προκειμένου να αντιμετωπίσουμε τον ιό.

Είναι τέλος απαραίτητο, για να αντιμετωπίσουμε τις επιπτώσεις του ιού, να εμπλακούμε όλοι· να εμπλακούν τα εθνικά συστήματα υγείας και να ενισχυθούν. Στην Ελλάδα χρειαζόμαστε προσωπικό για 150 ακόμη κρεβάτια στις μονάδες εντατικής θεραπείας. Να εμπλέξουμε όλο το ιατρικό δυναμικό του ιδιωτικού τομέα, ενισχύοντας τα ιδιωτικά ιατρεία, ακόμη και όταν πρέπει να κλείσουν μετά την ανίχνευση περιστατικών. Είμαστε σήμερα εδώ για να αποτίσουμε τιμή στο νοσηλευτικό προσωπικό. Είναι όμως ανάγκη να αντιμετωπίσουμε το πρόβλημα συνολικά.

  Paul Tang (S&D). – Voorzitter, mijn medeleven gaat uit naar de nabestaanden van de slachtoffers en mijn waardering gaat uit naar alle artsen en verpleegkundigen die de zieken terzijde staan. Inmiddels blijven miljoenen Europeanen binnen, zijn winkelstraten verlaten en vertrekken vliegtuigen halfleeg, terwijl klaplopers op een perverse manier willen profiteren door 45 euro te vragen voor een handgel.

De zorgen over de economie zijn groot. De OESO spreekt dan ook over de grootste dreiging voor de wereldeconomie sinds de financiële crisis, en dat geldt zeker voor de eurozone: de rente is laag en kan niet veel lager. Ik kijk dus niet naar Christine Lagarde, maar ik kijk naar de regeringsleiders. De ondersteuning van de economie moet volledig uit de overheidsbegroting komen om de klappen in aanbod en in vraag op te vangen.

Ondersteuning van bedrijven, maar ook van mensen. Want laten we lering trekken uit de vorige crisis, toen er werd geklaagd dat de banken wel werden ondersteund en mensen niet. Mensen verdienen ook ondersteuning, zeker de mensen met de laagste beurs die geen spaargeld achter de hand hebben. Juist zij moeten geholpen kunnen worden door verhoging van bijvoorbeeld de inkomenstoeslag.

Tot slot, juist nu moeten de begrotingsregels niet in de weg staan, juist nu moet er een gecoördineerde Europese stimulering komen en juist nu hoop ik op Europese solidariteit waarbij landen die het zwaarst getroffen worden ook het meeste krijgen. Juist nu moeten de regeringsleiders aan de slag.

  Pascal Canfin (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, Monsieur le Commissaire, il y a maintenant deux dimensions très claires sur lesquelles l’Europe doit agir: la dimension sanitaire et la dimension économique.

Sur la dimension sanitaire, pouvez-vous nous dire que vous êtes passés d’un simple échange d’informations entre les différents pays, avec la Commission européenne, à des prises de position communes? J’ai l’impression que nous sommes encore dans la phase où vous apprenez par la presse ce que les gouvernements décident de faire. C’est pour cela que nous soutenons le fait qu’il y ait un Conseil européen sur le sujet, à distance bien évidemment, convoqué à l’initiative du président de la République française. J’espère que ce conseil va se tenir aujourd’hui et que cela permettra d’améliorer la réponse sanitaire au niveau européen.

Puis maintenant, il y a la réponse économique. Et là, il y a deux enjeux.

Le premier enjeu, est d’être capable à très court terme de débloquer des liquidités pour que les entreprises qui subissent des ruptures d’approvisionnement mais doivent payer leurs charges et leurs salaires, continuent à vivre et ne déposent pas le bilan.

Le deuxième élément, c’est à plus long terme: éventuellement, un paquet de relance budgétaire qui doit faire le lien avec le pacte vert pour l’Europe. J’insiste sur ce point, sinon nous serions nous mêmes incohérents.

  Lucia Vuolo (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, gli italiani non sono gli untori del coronavirus. Lo dico con forza da quest'Aula! Lo dico perché qui, e all'estero, da qualche settimana quando veniamo riconosciuti, ci allontanano.

L'Italia è il secondo paese al mondo per casi di COVID-19 ma penso che, con ritardo, il nostro Paese abbia reagito duramente: da ieri l'Italia tutta è in quarantena.

Nel frattempo, sempre ieri, c'è stata un'importante scoperta scientifica a Cagliari, in Sardegna. Sono certa che i dati ottenuti saranno messi a disposizione della comunità scientifica mondiale.

Purtroppo non vedo la stessa solidarietà da chi ci ha negato i dispositivi medici, come mascherine, guanti e macchine per terapia intensiva, ma su questi aspetti torneremo di nuovo.

Ora è tempo che ognuno faccia la propria parte: al popolo si chiede il rispetto delle regole e buon senso; alle nazioni d'Europa di essere membri dell'Unione europea.

Infine è necessario dare risposta ai settori produttivi, e in particolare al settore turistico, che ha registrato il più alto tasso di cancellazioni di prenotazioni.

  Salima Yenbou (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, je remercie les professionnels du milieu médical qui travaillent pour assurer un service de santé. Face à cette crise, assurons-nous que, dans la majorité des pays européens, nous pouvons compter sur un système de santé juste et solidaire qui permet à toutes et tous, indépendamment des conditions de revenus, d’avoir accès à des soins adaptés. Dans certains pays, comme les États-Unis, ce n’est pas le cas puisque les plus pauvres doivent tirer un trait sur les dépenses médicales qu’ils ne peuvent se permettre.

Cette crise est un moment-clé pour notre société qui doit démontrer solidarité et civisme. Aujourd’hui, il faut accepter de renoncer à certains privilèges pour réduire tout danger de propagation. C’est le moment de rester unis et de faire attention aux plus fragiles d’entre nous. Demain, quand tout cela sera derrière nous, nous devrons tirer les conséquences de ces mois difficiles.

Quand je vois les images des rayons vides dans les supermarchés, partout en France, je pense aux personnes qui n’ont pas la chance de manger tous les jours ni d’avoir un toit ou d’être sûrs que leurs proches vont bien. Je pense notamment aux réfugiés et aux sans-abri, aux sans-papiers et aux marginalisés de toutes sortes.

Souvenons-nous de cette crise et montrons plus d’humanité envers celles et ceux qui souffrent silencieusement tous les jours.

  Ruža Tomašić (ECR). – Poštovana gospođo predsjedavajuća, širenje koronavirusa jedinstveni je javnozdravstveni izazov.

Zaraza nije ograničena na jedno područje, već se brzo globalno proširila, a širenju panike doprinosi i činjenica da znanstvenici i liječnici još uvijek nemaju odgovore na većinu pitanja koja zanimaju javnost.

Različite regije i države imaju drukčije pristupe ograničavanju širenja zaraze pa bi se Unija trebala maksimalno angažirati u koordinaciji nadležnih nacionalnih tijela i pružiti im dodatnu podršku.

Pojedine članice trenutno ne dozvoljavaju iznošenje higijenske opreme izvan svojih granica pa tvrtke čija su središnja skladišta za cijelu Uniju u tim državama ne mogu osigurati distribuciju higijenskih proizvoda u ostatak Europe.

Europske institucije moraju zaštititi prava i interese svih građana Unije i takvoj lošoj praksi stati na kraj.

  Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE). – Senhora Presidente, a União Europeia deve ser muito mais do que uma união política e económica, deve proteger os seus cidadãos e zelar pelo seu bem-estar. Por isso, tem que ser decidida no combate ao Covid-19.

Exige-se, primeiro, uma maior coordenação nos esforços para conter a propagação do vírus, segundo, muito mais investimento na investigação científica incentivando a cooperação entre os centros de excelência na área. A parceria público-privada IMI tem de mostrar mais ações e mais resultados, só assim será possível à Europa contribuir para o esforço internacional de desenvolvimento de vacinas e terapêuticas contra o vírus. Os valores até agora apresentados pela Comissão nesta área são irrisórios. Terceiro, uma resposta articulada de apoio às empresas e à economia. Os efeitos colaterais deste problema de saúde pública já são evidentes em muitos setores. É urgente a adoção de medidas que permitam preservar postos de trabalho, evitar falências e preparar a retoma.

Celeridade e o mínimo de burocracia possível terão de ser os dois fios condutores desta resposta. Temos de evitar que uma crise temporária cause danos irreparáveis às pessoas, à economia e à sociedade.

  Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D). – Gerbiama Pirmininke, iš tikrųjų būtina realiai įvertinti koronaviruso grėsmę Europos Sąjungai ir jos galimas pasekmes žmonių sveikatai, jų gyvenimo kokybei ir mūsų ekonomikai, todėl Europos Sąjunga privalo solidariai ir koordinuotai rengti adekvačias priemones šitai epidemija suvaldyti. Ir čia negalima delsti. Ir dabar iš visos širdies noriu padėkoti pasiaukojamai dirbantiems medikams, nes tik veikdami kartu galime nugalėti tą klastingą virusą. Būtina efektyviai koordinuoti informavimo, profilaktikos priemones, skirti reikiamas lėšas iš Europos Sąjungos biudžeto siekiant padėti valstybėms narėms, remti mokslinius tyrimus, kad kaip įmanoma greičiau kuriant reikalingas vakcinas.

Nerimą kelia, jog dėl koronaviruso nevaldomo plitimo kyla grėsmė dėl vaistų trūkumo, nes yra stipriai paveikta vaistų gamybos ir tiekimo grandinė. Ir čia Europos Sąjunga turi imtis koordinuotų veiksmų, siekiant užtikrinti nenutrūkstamą vaistų tiekimą ligoninėms ir pacientams.

Taip pat apie Europos Parlamentą. Europos Parlamentas tikrai privalo ir toliau diegti prevencines priemones, kurios padėtų apsaugoti čia, Parlamente, dirbančius žmones, įskaitant nuotolinį darbą, lankstesnį plenarinių sesijų ir komitetų posėdžių organizavimą. Ir sunku tikėtis, kad epidemijos grėsmė trumpalaikė, todėl reikėtų turėti veiksmų planą bent jau trims mėnesiams.

  Jordi Cañas (Renew). – Señora presidenta, nos encontramos ante una crisis que nos enfrenta a una gravísima responsabilidad. Tenemos una afectación sanitaria, pero también tenemos una afectación económica que puede poner en riesgo el futuro de Europa.

Tenemos que demostrar que el conjunto de las instituciones europeas hemos aprendido de los errores del pasado, de cómo afrontamos la gran crisis del 2008, y que somos capaces de dar respuestas ágiles, decisivas, firmes, coordinadas, contundentes, necesarias, y de adoptar las medidas necesarias —temporales y estructurales— que permitan a nuestros ciudadanos afrontar el problema y la crisis con esperanza.

Tenemos que transmitir que somos capaces de coordinar las respuestas sanitarias frente a los retos que vamos a enfrentar, que estamos enfrentando, pero que también somos capaces de dar respuestas a nuestros pequeños empresarios, a nuestros autónomos, a nuestras empresas, con un objetivo: garantizar que esta situación temporal no provoca una recesión estructural.

No tenemos que avergonzarnos de Europa, tenemos que poner en valor que en estos momentos se necesita, más que nunca, más Europa.

  Gianantonio Da Re (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nelle ultime settimane abbiamo assistito alla diffusione in Europa del coronavirus. Le regioni del Nord Italia, in particolare il Veneto e la Lombardia, si sono attivate immediatamente, adottando misure essenziali di prevenzione per evitare la diffusione del virus.

L'Unione europea è stata completamente assente: nessuna misura adottata e nessun gesto di solidarietà. Oggi evidenziamo il volto ipocrita dell'Unione europea, presente e severa quando c'è da chiedere ed assente nel momento in cui bisogna dare.

Ingenti sono i danni all'economia italiana ed europea: sono a rischio oltre 30 000 imprese e oltre 7 miliardi di euro di perdita nel comparto turistico, con un inevitabile impatto negativo a livello occupazionale.

Oggi pretendiamo dalla Commissione europea l'adozione di misure economiche immediate a sostegno delle nostre imprese e delle nostre famiglie. L'Unione europea deve fare la sua parte e deve fare di più.

Ringrazio il personale medico e paramedico in questa grande emergenza.

  Hermann Tertsch (ECR). – Señora presidenta, según aumentan el número de afectados y muertos y la zozobra, hay que llamar a la responsabilidad y a la calma. A la responsabilidad en el esfuerzo de no contagiarnos para no contagiar y frenar la extensión del virus y a la calma porque el pánico puede causar más daño que el propio virus.

Hay que aprender de nuestra vulnerabilidad, que es abismal en Europa. Los gobiernos están desbordados —imaginen esto con un virus más letal o con armas biológicas: un ataque—. No hay coordinación ni planes. Mucha improvisación y contradicciones y quiebras en la solidaridad.

Ahora se ve la diferencia entre una crisis real y fabulaciones alarmistas, climáticas u otras, tan falsas como interesadas. El negocio no puede eclipsar criterios de seguridad y defensa. No pueden estar lejos y en manos de terceros producciones de eventual urgente necesidad.

Necesitamos fronteras seguras y cohesión nacional para la reacción unida y solidaria y, además, coordinación. El coronavirus recuerda lecciones básicas de la supervivencia que la larga paz y el bienestar nos habían hecho olvidar.

  Stanislav Polčák (PPE). – Paní předsedající, v první řadě bych chtěl říci, že bychom měli být opatrní, ale nepodléhat panice. Tento virus ukazuje, že hrozby mohou na lidstvo zaútočit s poměrně až nečekanými výraznými účinky na zdravotní systém, na hospodářství, na cestování. My jsme se ve výboru ENVI opakovaně zabývali touto situací, a to i s naší evropskou agenturou ECDC sídlící ve Stockholmu. A ukazuje se, že skutečně nejsme dobře připraveni. Vidíme zde poměrně výrazné důsledky. Potřebujeme výraznou evropskou akci. Skutečně potřebujeme více Evropy. Epidemie nezná hranic a my jsme kontinent nyní spojený. Co je nutné? Samozřejmě hygienická a zdravotní koordinovaná opatření a také bezpečnostní opatření. Potřebujeme aktualizovat výrobní kapacity a rozpohybovat je, pokud jde o výrobu osobních ochranných pomůcek. Také samozřejmě léčiva. Zjistili jsme, jak jsme opět velmi zranitelní, protože výrobní kapacity v Evropě nedostačují. Já nejsem příznivce zavření hranic, nicméně je důležité, aby Evropská unie vedle těchto zdravotnických konkrétních opatření také realizovala konkrétní ekonomická stimulační opatření. A je důležité přijmout víceletý finanční rámec. To je skutečně naléhavý stimul. Já bych chtěl závěrem svého vystoupení poděkovat zdravotníkům a bezpečnostním složkám za jejich službu.

  Sara Cerdas (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, estamos perante uma doença que já atingiu todos os Estados-Membros da União Europeia, o que permite conhecer os problemas e as dificuldades que temos para enfrentar um surto desta natureza, especialmente quando se trata de uma nova doença. O impacto faz-se sentir por toda a Europa, não apenas com a saturação dos serviços de saúde, mas também no setor económico, do turismo e demais setores. E mais uma vez são os mais vulneráveis socialmente que se encontram em maior risco perante uma situação que tem já importantes reflexos na economia, no emprego e na sociedade europeia.

A Comissão deve responder a estas necessidades prementes e preparar-se para futuras ameaças e, para isso, precisamos de um plano transsetorial de resposta a ameaças à saúde pública que dê uma resposta concertada e homogénea ao longo de toda a Europa e que envolva todos os setores. Desta forma estaremos mais protegidos e melhor preparados.

Para finalizar, uma palavra de profundo agradecimento a todos os profissionais de saúde que estão a lidar com o surto de COVID-19 por toda a União Europeia e além-fronteiras.

  Hilde Vautmans (Renew). – Voorzitter, laat me natuurlijk allereerst mijn medeleven betuigen met de getroffen families en vooral met de Italianen, en ook de waardering uitspreken voor hen die elke dag goede zorgen geven – dokters en verplegers – in moeilijke omstandigheden. Europa heeft enkel een ondersteunende en coördinerende rol, maar eerlijk gezegd, als je naar de omvang van de crisis kijkt, dan zeggen de Europese burgers terecht: “Europa, doe wat meer”.

Dit virus kent geen grenzen, en vandaar, mevrouw de commissaris, dank ik u voor de initiatieven die al genomen zijn. Maar ik zou ervoor willen pleiten om een versnelling hoger te schakelen, meer te coördineren, meer te ondersteunen op het vlak van gezondheidszorg. Versterk het Centrum voor ziektepreventie en -bestrijding, geef het meer middelen voor onderzoek naar dat noodzakelijke vaccin. Laten we met z’n allen meer samen gaan aankopen, zodat onze gezondheidswerkers tenminste in goede omstandigheden de zorgen kunnen verlenen aan hen die ziek zijn of denken dat ze ziek zijn. En tot slot de economische gevolgen: ook dat moet Europa opvolgen. L’union fait la force, samen sterk!

  Patryk Jaki (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Szanowni Państwo! Mamy dzisiaj wyjątkowy czas w Europie. Mianowicie po raz pierwszy musimy się skoncentrować bardzo mocno – tak, mocno na bezpieczeństwie. Nie tak jak mamy to w zwyczaju, na ideologii, tylko na bezpieczeństwie. Dlatego bardzo ważne jest to, abyśmy zredefiniowali nasze potrzeby, również finansowe, i zaczęli w dobie tak wielkiego zagrożenia przekazywać więcej środków na leki. Potrzebna jest pilna koordynacja w sprawie leków.

Szanowni Państwo! Dodatkowo na testy, które byłyby w stanie działać, które pomagają w działaniu prewencyjnym. Dodatkowo potrzebne jest wsparcie dla regionów najbardziej dotkniętych problemami z koronawirusem, dla przedsiębiorstw, które będą miały potężne problemy: turystycznych, gastronomicznych, eventowych. Dodatkowo instytucje europejskie powinny świecić przykładem. To jest bardzo ważne dla wszystkich. Dodatkowo instytucje europejskie powinny pośredniczyć w kontaktach i w dialogu z bankami, które powinny pomóc opanować ten kryzys, również – tak jak wspomniałem – dla sektora gastronomicznego. I bardzo ważne jest to, aby pilnować, żeby nie pojawiały się firmy, które będą chciały wykorzystywać ten kryzys i podnosić ceny na kluczowe dla Europejczyków leki.

  François-Xavier Bellamy (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, face à cette épidémie de coronavirus, il nous faut une vraie réponse européenne pour mettre en œuvre des règles cohérentes qui permettent de rassurer les citoyens et de faire face à ce défi.

Sur la réponse à la crise, beaucoup a déjà été dit mais je voudrais aussi m’appuyer sur cette expérience pour pouvoir regarder notre avenir et constater ce qui n’a pas été fait. Si nous sommes aujourd’hui si inquiets, c’est aussi parce que nous nous sentons démunis face à cette crise.

Il y a trente ans, l’Europe importait 20 % des principes actifs utilisés dans les médicaments. En trente ans, nous sommes passés à 80 %, et ces produits proviennent aujourd’hui essentiellement de Chine ou d’Inde. Nous le voyons aujourd’hui, nous ne pouvons pas en rester à une simple doctrine de la concurrence qui nous pousse à externaliser la production de ces biens qui sont nécessaires à notre simple survie dans une crise comme celle-là.

Il nous faut une stratégie industrielle, il nous faut une stratégie sanitaire et il nous faut regarder notre avenir ensemble, en tentant de nous protéger face aux menaces qui se dessinent, plutôt que de réagir trop tard comme nous le faisons aujourd’hui.

Chers collègues, Madame la Commissaire, nous sommes aujourd’hui au pied du mur sur un sujet comme celui-ci. Si nous voulons garantir aux personnels de santé qui se battent aujourd’hui courageusement face à cette épidémie, notamment en Italie, il nous faut pouvoir leur apporter les moyens nécessaires à leur travail et à leur engagement.

  Tudor Ciuhodaru (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, doamnă comisar, e cod roșu de coronavirus. Niciodată nu ne-am mai confruntat cu astfel de situație. Eu sunt medic de urgență în Iași, România, Spitalul Clinic de Urgență și mie îmi pasă. Viața fiecărui cetățean european trebuie să fie protejată și de aceea am solicitat și am tras un semnal de alarmă încă din ianuarie privind această criză, solicitând un plan unic de intervenție la nivel european. Din păcate, nimeni este profet în țara lui, nici măcar în țara lui, și de aceea este clar că mai este doar o chestiune de timp până când pandemia actuală va fi și declarată.

De aceea e nevoie de un plan B cu măsuri clare, ferme privind suportul sănătății, suportul economic și combaterea discriminării și a infodemiei (acele informații false). Și vă solicit două lucruri astăzi extrem de importante: într-o parte, alertarea corpului medical european - am mai fost voluntar în situații de criză și mă ofer și astăzi voluntar - pentru că situația medicală din Italia riscă să fie depășită și oamenii de acolo să nu mai reziste la solicitări, personalul medical să fie depășit -, iar în al doilea rând, ca măsură de siguranță la nivel european, instituirea unor măsuri concrete pentru institutele de microbiologie, finanțarea Institutului Cantacuzino din România, pentru că în astfel de situații de criză, avem nevoie de vaccinuri și de materiale sanitare produse la nivel european.

  Irena Joveva (Renew). – Gospa predsednica! Ne bom govorila izključno politično, kaj vse moramo, ker se mi zdi v tem trenutku pomembnejše povedati, kaj je narobe in kaj je odveč ... (izjava ob izklopljenem mikrofonu)... tri različne skupine.

Prvič: vsi paniki so narobe in odveč. Zaradi novega koronavirusa ni konec sveta, če ne bo prevladala človeška neumnost. Poudarjam: če. Drugič: vsi brezbrižneži so narobe in odveč. A bi vam bilo še vedno vseeno, če bi se okužil kdo od vaših staršev, babic, dedkov. Jaz sem mlada. Virus bi najbrž prebolela, ampak kaj, če ga prenesem nekomu, ki ga ne bi. To je bistvo. Gre za odgovornost. In tretjič: samooklicani strokovnjaki so še najbolj narobe in odveč. Kar naenkrat vsi vse vejo. Samoizolacija je po mojem mnenju nujna tudi za te ljudi, ampak od družbenih omrežij v prvi vrsti.

Absolutno so razmere resne, ampak kdo sem jaz, da obsojam ukrepe, a so prestrogi, a so premili, a so prepozni. Ne vem, vem pa, da sem odgovorna in da zaupam stroki. Tisti pravi, da se razumemo.

  Massimiliano Salini (PPE). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, siamo di fronte a una situazione critica totalmente inedita: la nostra struttura delle politiche sanitarie a livello europeo non è più abituata alle malattie infettive.

Abbiamo riconcepito nei decenni una struttura e delle risposte a emergenze sanitarie di tutt'altra natura, quindi oggi mancano posti di terapia intensiva. Un posto in terapia intensiva costa 2.600 euro al giorno. In Italia il costo è questo: sono molti miliardi di euro. Rispondere a questa emergenza significa mettere a disposizione risorse smisurate.

In seconda battuta, la risposta di cui c'è necessità è di tipo economico – come si diceva – ma prima ancora che pensare al problema del deficit bisogna pensare al problema della liquidità: le imprese per non chiudere oggi, per non licenziare le persone, hanno bisogno di cassa. Ma chiedere risorse per cassa, oggi, costa moltissimo! Quindi bisogna derogare ai quei principi di Basilea che bloccano le banche a questo riguardo.

Sono molti i fronti, quindi una proposta: non è sufficiente avere un Commissario alle crisi – che comunque sta lavorando bene – come non fu sufficiente avere Commissari competenti su materie che riguardavano la Brexit. Ma ci vuole un commissario straordinario: un Commissario straordinario per l'emergenza coronavirus. Ci vuole UNA persona competente, che si occupi di questo dalla mattina alla sera, all'interno della Commissione, da subito!

  Nicolás González Casares (S&D). – Señora presidenta, ante el coronavirus: ciencia, prudencia y evidencia. No nos podemos dejar llevar por la irracionalidad, ni por recetas falsas, ni podemos abonar el campo a la desinformación. Es fundamental coordinarse en Europa y compartir conocimiento entre Estados miembros, porque no hay fronteras inmunes.

Ciencia, prudencia, coordinación e inversión en sanidad pública y universal. Es desagradable ver a aquellos que tanto daño han hecho con recortes abusivos lamentándose ahora de los efectos de esos mismos recortes sanitarios. Es el drama de haber tomado la salud como mercancía y no como derecho.

Además, ahora, en estos momentos, también me gustaría acordarme de los sanitarios, de los que pelean en las trincheras sanitarias cada día contra el virus y están anteponiendo la salud de sus conciudadanos a la suya. Ese es un ejemplo que debemos tomar en toda Europa. El fortalecimiento de la sanidad pública debe ser la lección que extraigamos de esta crisis.

  Jan Huitema (Renew). – Voorzitter, het coronavirus brengt ernstige risico’s met zich mee voor de volksgezondheid. Ik heb veel respect voor de hulpverleners die vooropgaan in de strijd, maar willen we de verspreiding van het coronavirus verder indammen, dan is Europese samenwerking keihard nodig. Ik roep dan ook op om te blijven coördineren tussen de Europese Commissie, de landen in de Europese Unie en ook het Europees Centrum voor ziektebestrijding en -preventie. Maar die samenwerking is alleen mogelijk als we ook solidair zijn in de landen hier in de Europese Unie. Het kan niet zo zijn dat een land bijvoorbeeld mondkapjes achterhoudt of andere medische hulpmiddelen en dat andere landen daar een tekort aan hebben.

Een ander punt waar ik me grote zorgen over maak, is het mogelijke medicijntekort voor sommige ziektes, maar misschien ook wel over een adequate bestrijding van het coronavirus. Het overgrote deel van de medicijnen die we gebruiken in de Europese Unie wordt gefabriceerd buiten de Europese Unie. Ik roep de Europese Commissie dan ook op te inventariseren waar de risico’s zijn voor deze leveringszekerheid en ook te anticiperen, zodat we in de komende maanden geen tekorten krijgen aan medicijnen.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). – Madam President, first of all our empathy with all those who have been affected by the coronavirus both directly and indirectly, and especially solidarity with our Italian friends who are in total lockdown in the most affected country in Europe. And, of course, all countries in Europe have now been affected, and that said brings us to the need for a more coordinated response at European level.

I think it’s fair criticism to say that the European Union has been slow to react, and now it needs to get its act together and bring all countries together to deal with this virus as quickly as possible. In my own country we have had 24 cases. I think the authorities have acted fairly quickly. Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, has outlined a plan to move from containment to delay to mitigation phase, and the government has committed up to EUR 3 billion to help employees, businesses and medical services to deal with the coronavirus. The same must happen at European level, both financially and also logistically.

Now, as many of you know, every year I host here, on behalf of IBEC, a St Patrick’s Day party to which you’re all invited. But that has to be cancelled next week. The good news, though, is that Guinness, Irish whiskey and Baileys do not go off that quickly, so hopefully when this virus is over we can reschedule and you’ll all be invited.

  Tiemo Wölken (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin, sehr geehrte Frau Kommissarin! Immer öfter sehe ich auf sozialen Netzwerken Bilder von leeren Supermarktregalen. In Deutschland sind Nudeln ausverkauft, natürlich nicht die Vollkornnudeln. Es trendet der Begriff „toilet paper crisis“ in verschiedenen Ländern. Das französische Gesundheitsministerium muss auf Twitter davor warnen, dass Kokain nicht vor dem Coronavirus schützt.

Die Sorge vor einer Epidemie versetzt immer mehr Menschen in eine Panik und auch in Angst. Hamsterkäufe führen zu Engpässen von Mundschutz, Atemmasken, Desinfektionsmitteln und stellen Ärztinnen und Ärzte und Helferinnen und Helfer vor große Probleme. Daher an dieser Stelle vielen Dank an alle, die sich einsetzen und kranken Personen helfen. Aber diese Hamsterkäufe von essenziellen medizinischen Produkten führen zu einer Knappheit dort, wo sie dringend gebraucht werden. Es muss endlich aufhören!

Und deswegen müssen wir sehr transparent über echte Risiken aber auch Fake News informieren, und wir müssen als Europäische Union solidarisch an einem Strang ziehen. Es kann eben nicht sein, dass wir den Export von diesen wichtigen Produkten einschränken. An vorderster Stelle muss jetzt also die Zusammenarbeit und die Entschleunigung der Ausbreitung stehen.

  Nicolae Ştefănuță (Renew). – Doamnă președintă, încep prin a transmite solidaritatea noastră fraților noștri italieni, dar noi astăzi ar trebui să facem mult mai mult pentru Italia decât să fim cu sufletul alături de ea. Noi ar trebui să putem ajuta astăzi cu echipamente medicale și cu materiale, cu ventilatoare, dar și cu doctori.

De aceea, am propus săptămâna trecută, în comisia ENVI, să avem rezerve strategice gata pentru astfel de situații. Azi avem nevoie de stocuri comune de medicamente și de echipament medical, de mobilizarea personalului medical din Uniune în zonele cele mai afectate, dar avem nevoie de leadership, de diseminare rapidă a informațiilor, de încredere.

Răspunsul la criza actuală nu este să limităm exporturile. Răspunsul nu este „scapă cine poate”. Criza aceasta ne privește pe toți și din ea nu putem ieși decât împreună. Așa că vreau, doamnă Kyriakides, să intervenim astăzi prin Mecanismul european de protecție civilă și prin clauza de solidaritate din tratat. Colegi, să nu lăsăm solidaritatea să fie doar o vorbă în vânt! Astăzi este momentul adevărului pentru noi toți.

  Benoît Lutgen (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, toute crise révèle parfois le pire et le meilleur. Le meilleur, c'est la mobilisation du personnel soignant, les acteurs de santé, infirmières, médecins, etc. Le pire, c'est parfois des réflexes nationaux égoïstes comme la France et l'Allemagne, qui interdisent l'exportation des masques.

Toute crise révèle aussi nos faiblesses, cela a été relevé par François-Xavier, et je me joins à lui. Évidemment, notre dépendance médicale, à l'égard notamment de la Chine et de l'Inde, montre aux citoyens européens que l'Europe ne protège pas ses citoyens au cœur de la santé en Europe.

La crise économique et la crise sanitaire ne doivent pas être distinguées, puisque cette crise sanitaire et économique aura des conséquences sur la santé. La crise économique aussi, on l'a vu en 2008-2009: les budgets qui ont connu des diminutions importantes dans toute une série d'États membres, des personnes qui se soignent moins bien. Nous devrons nous mobiliser pour faire en sorte que chacun en Europe puisse se soigner correctement et relever ce défi aussi au travers de cette crise économique.

Nous devons tout mettre en œuvre pour apporter ces politiques cohérentes, cette solidarité nécessaire entre les États membres, avoir une Europe qui protège, avoir une stratégie industrielle, c'est vrai, mais aussi sanitaire en matière d'énergie. Toute cette crise, j'espère qu'on pourra en tirer les conséquences et aussi les leçons. C'est ça le plus important.

Je terminerai en vous disant que j'espère qu'un jour on se mobilisera de façon aussi importante pour la sécurité routière, puisque, s'il y a eu 500 décès dus au coronavirus en Europe, dans le même temps, 2 500 personnes sont mortes sur nos routes.

  Yana Toom (Renew). – Madam President, I’m not going to repeat all the wise things that have already been said. What I want to raise is the issue of social security.

We are calling on people to isolate themselves if there is a suspicion of the virus, but not everybody can follow the advice. Those who live in working poverty and those in precarious working conditions just cannot afford to stay at home. At the end of the day, they will, but at what cost? I believe that we will succeed and in the coming months will get rid of coronavirus, but we have to learn the lesson. Decent working conditions and affordable healthcare are not just slogans to win elections, and country—specific recommendations in the field of social policy are not just useless paperwork. We have to push Member States to follow them, and to ensure that each European feels safe, even during a crisis, to get real help when needed and not to depend on small amounts of money that they earn daily, while putting their own health and the health of their family members at risk. We have to stand up for those who are exploited right now and who are the most vulnerable, while we are doing everything to protect our own health.

  Daniel Buda (PPE). – Doamnă președintă, doamnă comisară, doamnelor și domnilor colegi, lumea întreagă și Uniunea Europeană se află astăzi în fața unei bătălii incomensurabile, și anume aceea cu coronavirusul. Autoritățile medicale, care merită toate aprecierile noastre, sunt implicate la capacitate maximă pentru a-i trata pe cei bolnavi. Cercetarea medicală face eforturi uriașe în vederea identificării tratamentelor eficiente pentru combaterea acestuia.

Trebuie să înțelegem însă faptul că răspunsul în combaterea acestuia nu este doar la îndemâna autorităților. Fiecare dintre noi trebuie să conștientizeze importanța bătăliei cu acest virus, care nu cunoaște granițe și să respecte deciziile autorităților naționale. Este important ca populația să nu intre în panică și să aibă încredere în capacitatea de reacție a decidenților. Cu siguranță, economiile multor state membre vor fi afectate. Acest lucru nu trebuie să ne împiedice să fim solidari unii cu alții și să ne prioritizăm cheltuielile în domeniul medical, iar cercetarea medicală trebuie să fie intensificată cu resurse financiare puse la dispoziție de Comisia Europeană.

Suntem obligați, în același timp, să ne manifestăm deplina solidaritate cu zonele cele mai afectate de acest virus. Astăzi este Italia cea mai afectată, dar mâine poate fi foarte bine Germania, Franța sau România. Fie că vorbim de Mecanismul de protecție civilă, fie că vorbim de orice altă resursă financiară sau echipamente medicale puse la dispoziția zonelor afectate, trebuie să reținem un lucru: nimic nu poate fi prea mult atunci când vorbim de salvarea vieților omenești.

Catch-the-eye procedure

  Franc Bogovič (PPE). – Spoštovana komisarka, spoštovani komisar Lenarčič! Gospa Kiriakides. Popolnoma se strinjam z vajinim poročilom in tudi sam trdim, da je potrebno, da smo odgovorni, da moramo ravnati učinkovito in pa tudi sorazmerno.

Nikakor se ne smemo prepustiti paniki, poiskati rešitve tako z vidika zdravstvenega stanja v Evropi, ki je v nekaterih delih alarmantno, v drugih še lahko pričakujemo, da se ta virus razširi. Prav tako pa ne smemo pozabiti tudi na naša podjetja, gospodarstvo, ki bo zagotovo utrpelo zelo veliko škodo.

Kot sem že dejal, ukrepi morajo biti najprej učinkoviti znotraj posameznih držav. Vsekakor pa rabimo tudi učinkovit, odgovoren evropski odgovor in verjamem, da ga bomo tudi storili v naslednjih tednih. Evropski parlament mislim, da prav, da obravnava to vprašanje in da tudi stojimo ob strani tistim, ki za naše ljudi veliko naredijo, največ zdravstveni sektor.

  Pedro Marques (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, estamos no meio de uma grave crise de saúde pública. A prioridade é conter e travar os efeitos desta epidemia, mas temos que ter capacidade de ação para travar de imediato as consequências económicas e sociais da situação.

Aproveitar toda a margem da política fiscal conquistada nos últimos anos, evitar a perda de milhares de empregos por toda a Europa, agir agora com medidas temporárias, certeiras, salvaguardar o emprego - como começou já a fazer o governo português no meu país - e impulsionar a procura interna.

Sabemos que há uma década atrás as medidas fiscais mais eficazes foram as que se dirigiram aos rendimentos das famílias com um rendimento mais baixo e médio. Os sistemas públicos de abono de família e pensões permitem aumentar os rendimentos destas famílias e agir já. Não podemos pagar o preço da inação. Os governos europeus não podem escolher a imoralidade da inação.

  Valter Flego (Renew). – Poštovana gospođo predsjednice, ja naime danas ne želim ovdje govoriti o zdravstvenom aspektu koronavirusa, ali želim se zahvaliti svima koji danonoćno rade na suzbijanju širenja ove tako zlokobne bolesti.

Ono o čemu želim danas govoriti je ekonomija. Želim zatražiti vrlo konkretne aktivnosti Vijeća i Komisije kako bi spasili mnoga radna mjesta. Naime, paralelno s borbom za sprečavanje širenja ove epidemije, trebamo itekako razmišljati o radnim mjestima jer me je strah da idemo u novu recesiju. Strah me da Europa ide u jednu novu veliku ekonomsku krizu.

Zato treba nam solidarnost, treba nam europska solidarnost za sprječavanja širenja, ali i za pomoć državama članicama, posebice onima ovisnim o turizmu poput moje Hrvatske. I zato pozivam Komisiju da vrlo konkretno i fondovima, ali i riječima s premijerima riješi ovu situaciju.

  Bogdan Rzońca (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Są powody do tego, żeby mówić odpowiedzialnie, ale nie powinniśmy popadać w panikę, po prostu powinniśmy działać. Ja myślę, że wszystkie straty gospodarcze, które są wynikiem tego dramatu, zostaną podliczone, ale dziś najważniejsze jest zdrowie i bezpieczeństwo ludzi, dlatego biznes i akcjonariusze przemysłu medycznego muszą zachowywać się odpowiedzialnie, i w ich kierunku właśnie Komisja Europejska powinna dać sygnał, że nie najważniejsze dzisiaj są zyski, ale dostarczenie na rynek niezbędnego sprzętu. Wyobrażam sobie taką sytuację, że jeśli w Europie żyje siedemset milionów ludzi, to można potrzeba sto milionów testów, może potrzeba dodatkowo jeden milion laboratoriów, i w tym kierunku powinny pójść działania Komisji Europejskiej. Pomyślmy zatem w pierwszym rzędzie właśnie o chorych, o personelu medycznym i o sprzęcie – to są realne działania Komisji Europejskiej.

  Mick Wallace (GUE/NGL). – Madam President, this virus is a demonstration of why neoliberalism is a broken system. China has achieved miraculous results thus far in its battle and they were only possible because of the size and power of their state institutions. They bought the rest of the world extra time, which we went on to squander. Decades of neoliberalism and privatisation have undermined the public health systems of every European country, and this is evidenced by the pressures on the systems in the affected countries now.

There is talk of saving younger patients due to the strain on resources. Commissioner, you said we need solidarity, we need to share resources and equipment, but countries like Italy do need more support and less criticism. We are one global family, yet the US has sanctions against 20 countries worldwide, nearly a third of the world’s population, depriving people of essential medicines and hygiene supplies. The World Health Organisaiton (WHO) recently faced delays in supplying Iran with testing equipment. We are killing people.

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la Storia ha posto di fronte a noi una sfida esistenziale, la sfida di dimostrare che la parola "solidarietà" in Europa non è solo uno slogan ipocrita.

Vi propongo tre misure d'urgenza chiare e immediate: la prima, l'adozione di un protocollo sanitario unico in tutta l'Unione. Il virus non conosce frontiere!

La seconda, un piano straordinario europeo per la produzione non-stop e l'acquisto centralizzato delle attrezzature mediche necessarie per la terapia intensiva, a partire dai ventilatori polmonari. No allo sciacallaggio sulla pelle dei malati!

La terza, la sospensione immediata degli assurdi limiti del fiscal compact, per dare tutto lo spazio di bilancio necessario a ogni paese per proteggere l'occupazione e il rafforzamento dei fondi per l'accesso al credito delle piccole e medie imprese, al fine di scongiurare una recessione spaventosa, affinché chi viene curato non debba poi suicidarsi per la crisi.

Vere politiche anticicliche – perché la flessibilità da sola non basta – servono a sostenere subito la ricerca e un consorzio scientifico europeo per il vaccino; servono a comprare subito materiali. I veri eroi di questo...

(la Presidente toglie la parola all'oratore)

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, there have been quite a number of interventions. I will try to summarise and answer as many as I can and pick up as many points as I can.

Several of you mentioned the need to strengthen the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control. We are, at the moment, already working with them on this and they are maximising their outreach in terms of being able to respond to Member States with a specific response team. When called, they go on the ground to Member States to offer advice. This has already happened in at least two Member States and I trust that they will be able to respond to more as more requests come in.

The second point I want to pick up is that it was mentioned that the Commission should not be reading about measures in the newspapers or be waiting to hear what they need to do. Well I can assure you we do not read about daily events in the newspapers. We are briefed by the Health Security Committee and there is an early response warning and response system which is precisely there to exchange information and coordinate. We are in very close coordination with all the European health ministers. There was an emergency Health Council last Friday and I speak with health ministers at least on a weekly basis, trying to address here their needs and different problems.

I want to be absolutely clear – this is not a situation where any of us have the luxury of saying we’re going to be reading about it in the press or as it comes along. This is an evolving situation and we are literally holding meetings at least two or three times a day to see how the situation is changing, and this is the only way we’re going to be able to address the many challenges. But, there is no one-size-fits-all for this situation. Not all Member States are facing the same challenges so we need to be constantly on board with ministers and readdress the way that we are advising and helping them move along. Today there is a European Council with the Heads of State and it’ll be held via teleconference.

Several of you mentioned the need and the problems that we have with possible medicine shortages. I want to assure you that what we have heard so far – and yesterday I had a video call with the European Medicines Agency – is that we have had no reports of medicine shortages, but it is something that is of concern to us and we are monitoring the situation very closely. We will be re-examining it several times a week with the European Medicines Agency. It is true that dependency on third countries is an issue and it’s an issue that has been highlighted. This was already in my mission letter to come forward with a pharma strategy by the end of 2020 and we will be looking at that, but in terms of the day-to-day situation we’re working very closely with the EMA on this.

Research. Significant funding has been put towards research for vaccine development, with a potential to reach almost EUR 140 million through Horizon 2020 and the Innovative Medicines Initiative. Last week funding of (EUR) 47.5 million was awarded to 17 projects with 136 research teams working across Europe. Since there was also mention of the international dimension, (EUR) 232 million has been allocated to different sectors to boost global preparedness, with EUR 114 million going to the WHO, EUR 15 million to Africa, EUR 100 million to urgently needed research and diagnostics, and over EUR 3 million to the Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism.

Fake news. (This is a) huge area. I think that we can all agree in this plenary, in this Chamber, that fake news and disinformation is extremely dangerous. Last week the Commission convened a meeting with all the big social media outlets – they were all there – and Commissioner Jourová to address this problem. We’re taking it extremely seriously and everyone – everyone – has a part to play in this, so we can all be sure that what is out there for citizens is scientifically-based responsible information.

Finally, containment. I agree with you, I agree with what many of you said – that containment is key at this point. There are very many unpleasant measures that have had to be taken, but these measures are important in order to be able to slow down the spread and to save lives. And as I said before, we need to make sure that – and this is the coordination that we are doing, almost on a daily basis – Member States are taking these measures, but, again, I repeat there is no one-size-fits-all approach for Member States.

And finally, I want to reiterate what has been said many times here today already. This is not a time for panic and we need to stress that. It is also not a time for complacency. It is a time for solidarity. It is a difficult situation for us all and the Commission is not meeting once a week – we are meeting almost on a daily basis, working in parallel and with Commissioner Lenarčič, we speak several times a day on a number of common issues, and this needs to continue. But we need to stay calm. We need to stay solid. We need to stay focused. And we need Members of the European Parliament to spread these messages to their governments as well. We are all in this effort together, we are going to get through this, but we need to get through this responsibly and effectively.

  Janez Lenarčič, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, I am really grateful for this debate because it will help us steer the next step in facing this difficult challenge ahead.

Obviously, as the virus continues to spread, what is needed is that we collectively – Member States and EU institutions – step up our actions and the Commission intends to do so. Not everybody is affected in the same way at the moment. There are some who are hit harder and that’s why we stress the need for solidarity among EU Member States in particular because, without solidarity, the mechanisms that we have simply do not work.

The Civil Protection Mechanism is a wonderful mechanism, but it is based on the contribution by Member States. If those contributions are not there, the mechanism doesn’t work. Solidarity also has an impact on joint procurement, and so on. So, without solidarity, we are not going to get far. Why? Simply because the Commission doesn’t possess its own stocks of protective equipment – masks and that kind of stuff. If we did have those things, Italy would be the first to get them from us, but we don’t. We rely on Member States and their solidarity. So it’s not an empty word: solidarity really matters. Without solidarity things aren’t going to work.

The next point I want to make is that obviously we need to continue to work on preparedness and contingency. Obviously the capacities, in particular in the health sector but also elsewhere, are not sufficient in case of further propagation of the virus. We keep saying this, we have kept saying this for weeks and we will continue to say this.

Certain other aspects were highlighted. Let me say that we are working not only on vaccines, but also on diagnostics, tests, treatment and so on, and we added an additional EUR 37 million to this research area just last Friday. We are also looking into aviation, because aviation is obviously one of the sectors that are hardest hit. We are looking into that, and my colleague Commissioner Vălean is looking into that very closely, including with regard to the rules governing the usage of slots.

I will not go into further details, but I would like to assure you all that the Commission will not hesitate to propose additional measures as we face this challenge in the coming days and weeks. We will also not hesitate to find any additional funding that is available. But on this issue I would like to underline what was also said by some of the honourable Members. We are in the last year of the Multiannual Financial Framework. Reserves in the Commission’s budget are meagre. This is one more reason, if ever one was needed, to have an early agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. It’s long overdue.

Let me close by thanking you as Members of this House for your interest and engagement. It is important that the message goes out to our citizens that the EU cares, that the EU is doing its part to address the situation, and that we will continue to do so until we win this battle. This is a time for EU solidarity. We need to stick together and support each other in fighting this outbreak at all levels – at local level, national level, European level and global level. I can assure you that the Commission will continue to play its role. We will continue to work on all fronts: on health aspects, civil protection aspects, economic aspects, transport aspects and all others. We’ll do our best and we do count on your continued support.

  Nikolina Brnjac, President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, to conclude, I wish to thank you for the very useful debate we have had today. This is a situation of high concern to all of us – governments, politicians and citizens. We need to address the spread of Covid-19 in Europe in a coordinated and coherent manner. In order to achieve this we need to keep each other well informed about developments, cross-cutting impacts on different sectors and the measures taken. Only through close cooperation can we tackle this global outbreak in the most effective way.

It is a situation of high concern, but we must ensure that reliable information is widely available to our citizens and thereby prevent any undue panic. We need to remain vigilant and to combat misinformation and disinformation as well as discriminatory or xenophobic reactions, which are misleading the public and undermine the work carried out by our national authorities.

We also must exchange up-to-date information on preparedness plans and implementation of all measures, as this is important for our mutual security and for a coherent approach. We need to ensure that authorities and staff from relevant sectors, such as transport, health and social policy have the necessary information procedures and guidance on how to deal with cases.

We should all especially thank and support our health workers, who often work round the clock in their selfless efforts to save our citizens’ lives.

It is particularly useful to hear your views and concerns and we fully share your sense of urgency. Needless to say, we take the Covid-19 outbreak very seriously. We will remain focused on a thorough implementation of measures in force in relevant sectors, be proactive in exchanging all of the necessary information on their effectiveness, and mobilise inter-sectoral coordination to develop a constructive approach in tackling various disturbances on the EU market.

As I stressed in my opening intervention, we need to strengthen solidarity, cooperation and exchange of information between all the Member States. This is why the Presidency has included discussions on the trade aspects of the Covid-19 outbreak at the Foreign Affairs Council in the trade format on 12 March, and a coordination of the Member States’ efforts will be further discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 13 March, as well as the Ecofin Council on 17 March.

I can assure you that we are closely monitoring health, economic and social impacts in order to take further actions as appropriate in a coordinated manner.

  President. – Thank you, Minister. Before I close this debate, colleagues, you know we are advised not to touch our faces during these times, and I know I have breached that rule, but I want to reassure you that I have been using sanitiser. I say this with great seriousness. For those who don’t know what this is, it’s a tissue. We are meant to use them for sneezing into and, if you don’t have one, please use your elbows. You have two. These are serious times so we should listen to what the medical experts are saying.

My thanks to our Commissioners, our Council representatives and indeed to colleagues who participated in the debate. Those who couldn’t can please send in a written contribution, which will be recorded.

The sitting is suspended until 3.00 p.m. We will vote on this important issue at the next part session.

Written statements (Rule 171)

  Andrus Ansip (Renew), kirjalikult. – Loomulikult nõustun nendega, kes leiavad, et teadusuuringutesse, sh uuringutesse viiruste tundmaõppimiseks, tuleb Euroopa Liidul investeerida märksa rohkem ja et me peaksime tegema kõik endast oleneva, et viiruse levik peatada. Parlament on demokraatia sümbol. Euroopa Parlament peab kasutusele võtma vajalikud ettevaatusabinõud viiruse leviku takistamiseks, kuid parlament peab kindlasti jätkama tavapärast tööd. Mõistan neid, kes peavad igal nädalal Brüsselist koduriikidesse reisivaid saadikuid potentsiaalseteks nakkuse edasikandjateks. Selle ohu kõrvaldamiseks pole mõistlik katkestada parlamendi tavapärast tööd. Otstarbekam oleks teatud perioodi vältel parlamendiliikmetel koduriiki mitte reisida ja jätkata tööd Brüsselis.

  Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew), por escrito. – El coronavirus es un problema global que solo superaremos juntos. En primera línea trabajan con sus conocimientos, medios y dedicación las y los profesionales sanitarios. Quiero expresar aquí mi solidaridad y reconocimiento hacia ellos y los sistemas públicos en que trabajan, en mi caso Osakidetza. Apoyemos su trabajo siguiendo sus recomendaciones en materia de higiene y profilaxis porque la responsabilidad individual es también una herramienta imprescindible contra esta crisis.

Una prevención eficaz exige también combatir a los emisores de falsas noticias y a los especuladores, que tratan de hacer negocio político o comercial con este problema. Los mejores antídotos contra estos comportamientos son la ciencia, la prevención, la solidaridad y la confianza en las autoridades que deben trabajar coordinadas y construyendo acuerdos globales.

Finalmente, hay que paliar los efectos de la crisis en la economía. La flexibilidad fiscal, y una línea a especifica de apoyo financiero coherente y coordinada, para mantener la coherencia en el mercado interior es otra prioridad.

  Milan Brglez (S&D), pisno. – Pred več kot mesecem in pol sem na Svet EU naslovil vprašanje za prioritetno obravnavo v zvezi z grožnjo pojava pandemije zaradi koronavirusa in oceno potreb za usklajene pristope držav članic za preprečitev njegove širitve.

Žal do danes na moje vprašanje nisem prejel odgovora, še bolj pa me skrbi, da je razen izmenjave informacij ukrepanje držav še vedno posamično in mestoma stihijsko. Posledica tega je, da okužene danes štejemo v številkah čez 100.000, mrtvih je že več kot 4.000 ljudi. Tega procesa ne moremo zaustaviti z ad hoc ukrepanjem, ampak z usklajenim pristopom držav in nacionalnih zdravstvenih zavodov. Primeri tovrstnih izrednih situacij kažejo na pomen javnega zdravstvenega sistema, ki je dostopen vsem in vsakomur, še posebej tistim najbolj izpostavljenim in tistim, ki si v nestandardnih oblikah zaposlitve preventivne odsotnosti z dela praktično ne morejo privoščiti. Vse druge možnosti so lahko dopolnilne.

Od držav EU in evropskih institucij pričakujem, da bodo storile vse, da bodo okrepile nacionalne javne zdravstvene sisteme s človeškimi in finančnimi viri. Za zagotavljanje zdravstvene oskrbe ob izrednih razmerah je na ravni EU nujno sprejeti izjemo od strogega fiskalnega okvirja. Finančna pravila ne smejo onemogočati zaustavljanja pandemije in pomoči tistim, ki jo najbolj potrebujejo.

  Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR), na piśmie. – Konfrontacja z wirusem COVID-19 stawia nas wszystkich w obliczu ogromnego problemu i zagrożenia na skalę z pewnością europejską, a może już globalną. Najdotkliwiej jak dotąd konsekwencjami epidemii został dotknięty naród włoski, jednak aby podobny scenariusz nie powtórzył się w innych krajach, musimy działać w sposób zdecydowany i skoordynowany.

Rząd Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej natychmiast dołożył wszelkich starań, by maksymalnie zminimalizować zagrożenie epidemiologiczne na terenie naszego kraju, jednocześnie inicjując działania na poziomie międzynarodowym, by aktywnie współpracować z pozostałymi krajami UE, między innymi na poziomie Rady Europejskiej. Pomagamy osobom dotkniętym wirusem, jak i tym, które są nim bezpośrednio zagrożone lub znajdują się w tzw. grupie ryzyka. Aktywnie i od dawna stosujemy czynną prewencję przed rozprzestrzenianiem się tej epidemii, począwszy od kontroli sanitarnej na granicach państwa, poprzez szereg działań na poziomie rządu i parlamentu krajowego.

Ta bezprecedensowa sytuacja powinna skłonić nas wszystkich do zrewidowania obecnych priorytetów, również na poziomie instytucji europejskich. Walczymy z bezprecedensowym zagrożeniem w sferze nie tylko zdrowia, gospodarki i ekonomii. Jest to niezbędne, by pokonać aktualne zagrożenia i być przygotowanym na podobne sytuacje w przyszłości.

  Clare Daly (GUE/NGL), in writing. – The Commissioner stated that our response can’t be ‘business as usual.’ The irony is that it is precisely ‘business as usual’ which has hampered our ability to respond. The marketisation of health care, spearheaded by the Commission – slashing health budgets, aggressive restructuring, layoffs of health workers, and medical research concentrated in the hands of multinational pharmaceutical companies for profit – have all led to a chaotic response from the EU. We should follow the advice of the WHO regarding travel and large public gatherings to contain the spread of the virus. Listen to science and factual information, not exaggeration. If people are not well or need to self-isolate they should stay at home. But for workers to do that, they have to be paid. Isn’t it an indictment of our society and a reflection of the level of casualisation of labour that has taken place in recent years that the idea of workers going into work sick has become a social norm? We need to learn the lessons from this crisis: the market is incapable of responding to the health needs of European citizens and we really need to change how society is organised, putting universal health care centre-stage.

  Fajon (S&D), pisno. – Menim, da je vsakršna panika popolnoma odveč. Prepričana sem, da so pristojni organi primerno, pravilno in učinkovito pripravili ukrepe, s katerimi bi dosegli kar najmanjšo možnost širjenja virusa.

Vsekakor pa je potrebna previdnost in upoštevanje navodila pristojnih, saj smo soodgovorni za svoje zdravje in zdravje bližnjih. Hvaležna sem medicinskemu osebju in vsem, ki v teh dneh skrbite za zdravje prebivalcev Slovenije, tudi na račun svojega lastnega zdravja. Zaščita zaposlenih in socialna varnost je ključna, kot tudi koordinacija med državami članicami EU, sprejemanje odločitev, ki jih ponuja stroka, delitev medicinskih zalog, podpora raziskavam za odkritje cepiva in investicije v naš zdravstveni sistem. Ob tem pa se mi zdi zelo pomembno, da bi o številu obolelih mediji poročali umirjeno in v primernem kontekstu, s čimer bi pomirili ljudi. Vedeti je namreč treba, da so za starejše in zdravstveno šibkejše ljudi izjemno nevarne tudi nalezljive bolezni, kot je gripa, zaradi njenih neposrednih ali posrednih posledic je v lanskem letu na svetu umrlo več kot pol milijona ljudi, v Sloveniji pa v prvih treh mesecih leta 2019 kar 160 ljudi.

Morda bo koronavirus na nek način pripomogel k temu zavedanju v prihodnje, povečal zavedanje o primerni higieni in drugih ukrepih in precepljenost populacije.

  Laura Ferrara (NI), per iscritto. – L'OMS ha dichiarato che l’Europa è il nuovo epicentro della pandemia Covid-19. L’Italia è il paese europeo più duramente colpito e ha adottato misure restrittive per arginare il contagio. La duplice battaglia che sta combattendo in campo sanitario ed economico richiede cooperazione e solidarietà, non iniziative che possano danneggiarla ulteriormente. Il quadro generale in Europa sta peggiorando e i medesimi problemi riguarderanno presto altri Stati Membri. L'UE ha un ruolo fondamentale in materia di coordinamento della preparazione e della risposta alle gravi minacce sanitarie transfrontaliere, ma una strategia comune sta tardando ad arrivare. Molti governi reagiscono in modo differente ad una minaccia che non conosce confini e che riguarda tutti. Oltre agli aiuti di natura economica attraverso i diversi fondi europei, tra cui quello di Solidarietà, è indispensabile garantire che forniture di apparecchiature e materiale medico/ospedaliero possano giungere a chi ne ha bisogno, evitando speculazioni di ogni genere. Assicurare ad ogni cittadino il diritto alla salute e cure adeguate deve essere la priorità. In questa grave emergenza, aiutando l’Italia e gli altri Stati che ne hanno bisogno, aiuteremo l’Europa.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL), por escrito. – O surto epidémico do COVID-19 coloca-nos, no imediato, dois tipos de exigências: o reforço de medidas de prevenção no domínio da saúde pública e a criação de condições e de meios para a resposta clínica necessária.

É necessária uma correta articulação entre os vários países e as respetivas autoridades de saúde no domínio da prevenção, na diminuição de riscos de contágio e na vigilância epidemiológica. Mas é necessário também cuidar de reforçar os sistemas públicos de saúde, que são o único e real instrumento para uma resposta adequada, universal e pronta à situação. A resposta ao surto do COVID-19 soma-se à resposta que os serviços de saúde já tinham de dar e que continuam a ter de dar a um vasto conjunto de outras situações. Percebemos melhor agora o impacto das orientações da Comissão Europeia para que se corte no financiamento dos serviços públicos de saúde. Agora, que todos os hospitais de referência são públicos e que os seguros de saúde privados se desresponsabilizam dos doentes, percebemos melhor o perigo da ideologia que faz da saúde um negócio. Percebemos melhor que quando as regras do défice se sobrepõem a direitos fundamentais o resultado só pode ser mau. Respondamos à urgência do momento sem esquecer as necessárias lições para o futuro.

  Maria Grapini (S&D), în scris. – În situația de criză creată de coronavirus, dezbatem în Parlamentul European ceea ce se poate face. Regret că așa târziu, când deja avem țări precum Italia, aflată în întregime în carantină. Personal, am adresat o scrisoare Comisiei Europene, încă din 27 ianuarie, în care întrebam cum se organizează Comisia Europeană pentru a evita o răspândire a virusului.

Suntem în luna martie și vedem că încă nu există o abordare coordonată la nivelul UE, nu există bugete suficiente pentru cercetare, măsuri de prevenire și de tratament (paturi suficiente în spitale) pe tot teritoriul UE. În plus, nu s-a lansat, concomitent, un plan de măsuri pentru contracararea efectelor asupra economiei, IMM-urilor, în special în domenii ca turismul, transportul și producția.

Nu toate statele membre au luat măsurile cele mai exigente de control la frontiere al cetățenilor ce vin dintr-o altă țară. Solicit măsuri de control la toate frontierele terestre, asigurarea stocului de medicamente, materiale, aparatură pentru toate statele membre și renunțarea la impunerea de deficite bugetare sub 3 % statelor membre, pentru a putea investi în sistemele sanitare, cercetare și infrastructură.

  Łukasz Kohut (S&D), na piśmie. – Czas pandemii to moment, kiedy życie mówi „sprawdzam” i pokazuje, na ile jesteśmy solidarni, jak wytrzymałe są nasze instytucje, jak skuteczne są nasze procedury. COVID-19 zaraża coraz więcej osób, państwa wprowadzają coraz ostrzejsze środki prewencyjne i doraźne. To dobrze - mamy sytuację zagrożenia i musimy ją traktować poważnie. Nie możemy jednak ulegać panice, to byłby najgorszy scenariusz. W debacie publicznej pojawiają się głosy, że Unia Europejska robi za mało dla walki z wirusem. Są to najczęściej głosy tych, którzy oponują ściślejszej integracji europejskiej. Czyli chcą więcej Unii i równocześnie tego nie chcą. To podejście absurdalne. Dziś widzimy - tak, potrzebujemy więcej Unii. Wirusy, katastrofy klimatyczne, ekologiczne - czy one przejmują się granicami? Nie. Czas to zrozumieć. W ramach swoich uprawnień Unia robi już bardzo wiele, m.in. w ramach Unijnego Mechanizmu Ochrony Ludności, Europejskiej Agencji Leków, Europejskiego Centrum Zapobiegania i Kontroli Chorób. Są pieniądze na walkę ze skutkami pandemii. Plus Wspólny Mechanizm Zamówień UE. Niestety dobrowolny, skutkiem czego niektóre kraje - pozostając na własne życzenie poza mechanizmem - nie przystępowały w ostatnim czasie do unijnych przetargów na medyczne środki ochrony osobistej, tak ważne w tym momencie. Taka dobrowolność to nie suwerenność, to działanie na szkodę europejskiego pacjenta.

  Ádám Kósa (PPE), írásban. – A vírus terjedése kapcsán a legfontosabb dolog a hiteles és akadálymentes tájékoztatás, mert az állampolgárok csak akkor érzik magukat biztonságban, ha időszerű és pontos információkat kapnak. Veszélyhelyzetben különösen fontos, hogy gondoljuk a hátrányos helyzetű csoportokra, köztük a fogyatékossággal élőkre: Külön oda kell figyelnünk a mozgássérültekre, akik kevésbé mobilisak, a látássérültekre, akik az írott információkhoz nem férnek hozzá és a siketekre, nagyothallókra, akik számára jelnyelvi tolmácsolással és feliratozással kell ellátni a betegségről szóló tájékoztatásokat. Örvendetes, hogy egyes tagállamok, köztük Magyarország ennek eleget tesz – az operatív törzs napi sajtótájékoztatóján jelnyelvi tolmácsolás biztosított – és felkérem az Európai Bizottságot, hogy az akadálymentes tájékoztatás fontosságára emlékeztesse a tagállamokat.

  Leszek Miller (S&D), na piśmie. – Najważniejszym wyzwaniem stojącym obecnie przed Unią Europejską i jej państwami członkowskimi jest niewątpliwie walka z epidemią koronawirusa. Niezbędne jest jednak również równoległe planowanie działań zaradczych, które pozwolą przeciwdziałać negatywnym skutkom ekonomiczno-społecznym tego kryzysu w Europie. W tym celu, Komisja Europejska powinna zaproponować pakiet doraźnych działań i inicjatyw legislacyjnych, które uchronią przed upadłością tysiące małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw zmuszonych do czasowego wygaszenia swej działalności; udzielą też wsparcia pracownikom, którzy w związku z koniecznością kwarantanny lub leczenia stali się bezrobotni lub utracili dochody. Kluczowe w tym względzie wydaje się wdrożenie inicjatyw dotyczących m.in. systemu ubezpieczeń zdrowotnych i bezrobocia, jak również uelastycznienie procedur budżetowych, by w pełni zmobilizować unijne zasoby budżetowe na sfinansowanie pilnej reakcji państw członkowskich na kryzys (m.in. poprzez dopłaty do wynagrodzeń, możliwość zawieszenia płatności niektórych podatków i składek na ubezpieczenia społeczne lub bezpośrednie wsparcie finansowe dla konsumentów). Kompleksowy program przeciwdziałania skutkom kryzysu wywołanego epidemią koronawirusa w Europie i jego efektywne wdrożenie we współpracy z państwami członkowskimi pozwoli odsunąć ryzyko głębokiej recesji gospodarczej. W moim przekonaniu, da ponadto odpór ponawianym ostatnio nader często tezom mającym przekonywać o niewydolności instytucjonalnej Unii oraz niecelowości wysiłków na rzecz pogłębiania procesu integracji europejskiej.

  Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE), în scris. – Solicit Comisiei Europene asigurarea unui răspuns european coordonat și a unei strategii clare, aplicată de toate statele membre, care să limiteze cât mai mult răspândirea virusului, astfel încât să evităm o presiune dificil de suportat de către sistemele de sănătate și să putem câștiga timp până când condițiile meteorologice pot limita răspândirea virusului și până când oamenii de știință vor crea un vaccin.

Totodată, solicit sporirea finanțării și a colaborării public-private dintre autoritățile publice din domeniul sănătății, industrie și centrele universitare de cercetare în vederea dezvoltării cât mai rapide a unui vaccin și a unui tratament al coronavirus, precum și dezvoltării de diagnostice și antivirale. Pandemia COVID-19 nu respectă granițele, tocmai de aceea doar o acțiune europeană bine coordonată poate genera eficiența necesară gestionării acestei situații extraordinare.

  Victor Negrescu (S&D), în scris. – Nu am să ascund astăzi nemulțumirea mea față de răspunsul CE la coronavirus.

Solicit din nou instituțiilor europene să dezvolte o acțiune comună, coerentă și mai puternică pentru a gestiona criza. S-au făcut prea puține lucruri și mult prea târziu. La nivel european putem trece peste această situație doar împreună! Sunt în total peste 100 de mii de bolnavi la nivel global și 4 000 de victime. Virusul a ajuns în toate statele UE, iar peste jumătate din victimele din afara Chinei sunt în Europa. Sute de europeni și-au pierdut viața pentru că nu a existat un răspuns coordonat la această criză.

În România, oamenii sunt îngrijorați. Transmit gândurile mele de bine pentru prietenii italieni, personalul medical din toată lumea și pentru românii din alte țări care privesc situația cu îngrijorare. Mă aștept din partea CE să comunice și, mai ales, să acționeze. CE trebuie să asigure activ coordonarea între statele membre atât pentru limitarea fluxului de persoane, cât și pentru asigurarea medicamentelor și aparaturilor medicale. Ne trebuie campanii de informare și prevenție specifice. Avem nevoie de un răspuns activ la scăderea burselor europene și un mecanism de sprijin pentru industriile și sectoarele economice afectate.

  Bronis Ropė (Verts/ALE), raštu. – Šiandieninė situacija gerai iliustruoja, ką mums visiems gali reikšti valstybės gebėjimas savarankiškai apsirūpinti maistu. Šias galimybes reikia įvertinti, nes tai – didžiulis saugumo garantas mūsų piliečiams. Šiai dienai turėtume būti labai dėkingi savo šalių ūkininkams, kad, nepaisant didelių sunkumų, o neretai tokiose šalyse kaip Lietuva, dirbant nelygiomis konkurencinėmis sąlygomis Europos Sąjungos rinkoje, jie bando išlaikyti žemės ūkio sektorių gyvą. Man aišku viena, mes jokiu būdu negalim leisti ūkininkams atsisakyti dirbti žemę – paprasčiau sakant – gaminti maistą. Nes maistas yra gyvybiškai būtina prekė bet kokioje situacijoje: ar tai būtų ramūs valstybės klestėjimo, augimo laikai, ar tai būtų visiškai krizinė situacija. Šiandien kaip niekad pasimatė, kad žemdirbių išlikimas turi rūpėti ne tik patiems ūkininkams, o ir skirtingų šalių gyventojams, kurie tiesiogiai neturi nieko bendro su žemės ūkiu.

  Alfred Sant (S&D), in writing. – Beyond expressions of solidarity with each other on the coronavirus epidemic, we need to be clear about the implications of what has been happening for ordinary citizens, including those not affected by the corona disease. Over the years, we have promoted globalisation. In Europe, we have constructed a single market for goods, services and the free movement of people. Our citizens have grown accustomed to considering these developments as good in and of themselves. Now we understand that they can bring in their wake the swift transmission of new diseases. For this we are unprepared... and not just in Europe. The coronavirus epidemic is scary not simply because it is a ‘new’ disease, but because it has also travelled so quickly. On the medical front, the new and perhaps unforeseen problems that now confront us are apparent. Can medical research be geared up to match the pace of corona’s travels? But there are other fronts where similar developments could occur. Are there any other unforeseen consequences of globalisation, apart from epidemics, that might hit our citizens directly and quickly? These questions might seem to be academic at this point in time. Answers to them, though, will impinge drastically on the quality of life of our citizens.

  Michaela Šojdrová (PPE), písemně. – Zdraví je přednější než politika, na tom se asi shodneme všichni. Bohužel v případě epidemie koronaviru tomu tak neplatí. V Číně byly z politických důvodů zamlčovány informace o epidemii. Symbolem se stal lékař, který zemřel a před virem svého času varoval. Flagrantním případem neakceptovatelného politického postoje je blokování ze strany Číny účasti Tchaj-wanu ve Světovém zdravotnickém shromáždění. Toto téma se snažíme nanést na plénum již dlouho, ale vždy je někdo proti tomu ze strachu či ohledů vůči Číně. Tchaj-wan může a chce pomoci, jak dokazuje tento plakát. V této epidemii i v jiných případech. Má vědecké kapacity a jeden z nejlepších zdravotních systémů na světě. Je blízko zasaženým oblastem v Asii a je vystaven riziku epidemie koronaviru. Podle predikcí měl být velmi zasažen, neboť v Číně se nalézalo téměř půl milionu jeho občanů. Díky efektivním opatřením se ale podařilo na ostrově šíření nákazy držet pod kontrolou. Tchajwanské know-how, které se datuje již od epidemie SARS, bychom měli využít i v rámci WHO.

  István Ujhelyi (S&D), írásban. – Azonnali válságmenedzselést és célzott források megteremtését kérem a turisztikai szektor számára a koronavírus okozta károk enyhítése érdekében. Nincs lehetőség a késlekedésre, a turizmus több mint huszonötmillió embernek ad munkát és az európai GDP több mint tíz százalékát termeli meg. Csak az elmúlt nyolc hétben több mint kétmillió kínai turistát veszített az európai ágazat és már most milliós nagyságrendben tudunk olaszországi foglalás-lemondásokról is. A szigorítások és járattörlések miatt ez a száma ráadásul jóval magasabb lesz.

Az európai intézmények öt uniós biztos bevonásával már felállítottak egy döntéshozói csoportot, amelyben azonban a turizmus ügyét felügyelő Thierry Breton belső piacért felelős uniós biztos egyelőre még indokolatlanul nem kapott helyet.

A koronavírus okozta pánik és az azt övező gazdasági dominóhatás egyre nagyobb méreteket ölt, a turizmus ágazatban pedig felmérhetetlen károkat okoz. Már most tudunk olyan kis- és középvállalkozásokról, családi vállalatokról, amelyek csődhelyzetbe kerültek a vírus miatti korlátozásoknak köszönhetően. A turisztikai szektor különösen sebezhető és a koronavírus egyik legnagyobb áldozata lehet, ha nem cselekszünk időben és felelősen.

Mielőbb védelmi mechanizmusokat kell kialakítani a munkahelyek és vállalkozások védelmében. Erre a leghatékonyabban és leggyorsabban egy átfogó, központi uniós válságkezelés tud megoldást nyújtani.

  Henna Virkkunen (PPE), kirjallinen. – Koronavirus leviää Euroopassa nyt nopeasti, eikä sitä todennäköisesti pystytä pysäyttämään kokonaan. Epidemian vakavuuden kannalta olennaista kuitenkin on, kuinka nopeasti tauti leviää ja riittääkö terveydenhuollon kapasiteetti. Hitaasti ja pahimman influenssakauden ulkopuolella leviävä koronavirus on vähemmän vaarallinen kuin äkkinäisenä tautipiikkinä Eurooppaan rantautuva epidemia. Euroopan on vastattava viruksen uhkaan yhdessä ja yhtenäisenä. Kyse on ennen kaikkea vakavasta terveyskriisistä, mutta seuraavassa vaiheessa myös vaikeasta talouskriisistä. Jos viruksen torjuntatoimissa onnistutaan, jokin olemassa olevista hoidoista osoittautuu tehokkaaksi, talouden rattaat pyörivät suuressa osassa maailmaa ja epidemia rauhoittuu, talouden poikkeustila jää väliaikaiseksi. Kaikissa muissa skenaariossa sen vaikutukset ovat vakavia: useat sektorit kärsivät pitkäkestoisesti, globaalit hankintaketjut katkeavat monella alalla, taloudellinen toimeliaisuus hidastuu merkittävästi ja koko maailma vajoaa negatiivisiin kasvulukuihin. Epidemian vaikutukset tuntuisivat vakavina kaikkialla Euroopassa. Kriisin keskellä luottamuksen merkitys korostuu. Meidän on luotettava siihen, että alan parhaat ammattilaiset tekevät oikeita suosituksia oikeaan aikaan. Salaliittoteorioiden levittäminen, perusteeton paniikin lietsonta tai poliittisten irtopisteiden repiminen viruksen varjolla toimivat kaikki tätä tavoitetta vastaan. Koronaviruksen vaikutukset maailmaan ovat kaikissa tapauksissa merkittäviä. Tällaista tilannetta emme ole aiemmin kohdanneet. Haasteen edessä on syytä pysyä päättäväisenä, rauhallisena ja solidaarisena, vaikka ihmisluontomme ajoittain muuta vaatisikin.

  Iuliu Winkler (PPE), în scris. – Răspândirea epidemiei de coronavirus a generat deja o criză de sănătate publică în întreaga UE. Răspunsul la această criză trebuie să fie coordonat la nivel european. Măsurile care se iau la nivelul statelor membre trebuie să fie armonizate cu acțiunea europeană, iar solidaritatea este imperativă.

Criza de sănătate publică va induce încă două crize în UE, o criză economică și una socială. Într-o economie globalizată este foarte important ca UE să protejeze persoanele vulnerabile, dar la fel de important este să susțină companiile europene afectate. Conform estimărilor globale, ne vom confrunta în scurtă vreme cu o criză comparabilă cu criza financiară globală din 2008.

De aceea, răspunsul UE trebuie să fie la fel ca atunci, unul consistent și bine țintit. Avem nevoie de un plan european de stimulare economică bazat pe bugetul UE. În 2008, European Economic Recovery Plan a mobilizat 200 de miliarde de euro, adică 1,5 % din PIB-ul UE, la care s-au adăugat zeci de miliarde de euro disponibilizate la nivel național de majoritatea statelor membre. Prin flexibilizarea Pactului de stabilitate și creștere trebuie finanțat acest plan european care să ajute economiile europene să depășească efectele epidemiei de coronavirus, protejând astfel companiile, locurile de muncă și cetățenii europeni.

  Carlos Zorrinho (S&D), por escrito. – A epidemia global de coronavírus constitui um forte desafio à capacidade de resposta da União Europeia e dos Estados-Membros, num contexto de grande incerteza, dado o carater disruptivo da ameaça. Cooperação e solidariedade são as palavras—chave para mitigar os impactos na saúde e económicos e sociais.

As medidas já tomadas de colaboração na troca de informação, no acesso aos medicamentos e outros instrumentos profiláticos e na criação de um fundo de emergência são importantes, mas devem rapidamente evoluir para uma cooperação reforçada, aproveitando todas as sinergias entre os recursos dos Estados-Membros e os recursos da União. A solidariedade e a cooperação são também fundamentais para assegurar acesso gratuito aos testes e aos tratamentos e a cobertura das perdas salariais ou similares decorrentes da prática da quarentena. O brutal impacto económico e social do surto não pode ser suportado de forma agravada pelos mais desfavorecidos. A União Europeia tem, perante este surto, a obrigação de, em nome dos seus valores humanistas, dar prioridade aos cidadãos, empresas e instituições mais expostas na afetação dos recursos técnicos e financeiros de que dispõe. Bater-me-ei por isso.

(The sitting was suspended at 12.21)

VORSITZ: KATARINA BARLEY
Vizepräsidentin