The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions welcomed the European Parliament's approval of EU support measures to fight the COVID19 pandemic.
In a tweet, Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the Westpomeranian Region & President of EPP-CoR Group said “We welcome the decision taken to redirect €37 billion of Cohesion Funds under the Corona Virus Response Investment Initiative to support hospitals, SMEs and jobs. It will help villages, cities and regions address the consequences of the COVID19 crisis”.
Another measure approved by the European Parliament was the extension of the scope of the EU Solidarity Fund which supports Member States and accession countries hit by major natural disasters. In a tweet, NAT Coordinator Samuel Azzopardi said "Emergencies have no borders. This is why the EPP Group in the CoR supports the proposal to extend the scope of the EU Solidarity Fund to include public health crisis and simplify its management. This will assist the hardest hit municipalities and regions."
The third proposal approved late on Thursday evening concerned the Commission's proposal to temporarily alleviate airlines from their airport slot usage obligations under EU law. Reacting to the decision of the Parliament, Emil Boc, EPP Group CoR COTER coordinator said "The aviation industry which plays a vital socioeconomic role in cities and regions has been seriously affected by COVID19. Suspending rules obliging airlines to use their slots will prevent ghost flights, reduce emissions and help the industry adapt to the new circumstances.
In the meantime, the EPP-led local and regional authorities are working hard to fight the coronavirus outbreak through concrete actions on the ground. These include buying more equipment, shifting human resources and disinfecting public places.
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