Responding to COVID-19 crisis through cooperation especially at cross-border regions, ensuring more transparency and communication on decisions taken and investment in new technologies in the medical system were the main recommendations that emerged during discussions on three key opinions that EPP-CoR members are leading as part of their work to respond to the pandemic and to strengthen the capacity of health systems across European cities and regions. During a NAT Commission meeting, members held a debate on the EU's health response to the pandemic with the participation of representatives from the European Commission as well as with Andrea Ammon, Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Joke Schauvliege, Rapporteur for the CoR opinion on 'Experiences and lessons learned by regions and cities during the COVID-19 crisis said the COVID-19 crisis is still very much determining our lives. She added that Member States are reacting differently to it but expressed satisfaction in EU cooperation on this matter. Schauvliege who is a Member of the Flemish Parliament said “This crisis has created several consequences at a personal and professional level (families apart, lack of work, low economy). The cooperation during such crises is the key to solve the problems of the most affected sectors.”
In his reaction Mark Speich, Secretary of State, North Rhine-Westphalia and CIVEX chair said "The substance of a democracy is tested in crisis situations. In the first place, emergency measures have to be decided and implemented in the regions and cities. Therefore, national governments must respect the remits and experiences of local and regional authorities.” He added that transparency is a fundamental issue and that citizens need to know how a decision was taken and why.
Michael Murphy, Counillor of Tipperary County Council and ECON chair said that recovery measures must take the new reality into account. ”This is why the governance of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which is the EU recovery instrument, must involve local and regional authorities as they are the one on the frontline of this pandemic.” concluded Murphy.
Marjon De Hoon-Veelenturf, Mayor of the municipality of Baarle-Nassau spoke on the effects of COVID-19 in border regions. “We are confronted with national measures of the neighbouring countries that are different from ours and this has a negative impact on our communities, services and businesses.” She called for better coordination.
During a debate on Health, the NAT Commission discussed Birgitta Sacrédeus’ opinion on the 'Pharmaceutical strategy' and the 'New mandate of European Medical Agency (EMA)'. Sacrédeus who serves as a Member of Dalarna Regional Council said “We need to use new technologies in the medical system and make sure that our citizens have access to all types of medicine and medical treatment. Affordable drug prices are a prerequisite for patients to be able to receive the treatment they need and for sustainable healthcare systems.”
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania Region, President of the EPP-CoR Group and Rapporteur for the CoR opinion on 'Cross-border health threats' and the 'New mandate of ECDC' said that EU measures concerning serious cross-border threats to health should take greater account of the situation of regions, including border regions and regions located at the external borders of the European Union. In his recommendations, Geblewicz said “Increasing the activity of regions in counteracting serious cross-border threats to health may take place by engaging regions more widely in preparation and planning and through the direct participation of healthcare entities."