Africa Can Count on Support of EU, Luxembourg during COVID-19 Crisis, says PM Xavier Bettel

On Thursday 23 April 2020, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel participated in the summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union (EU) via video conference.

The summit agenda was devoted to the EU response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the basis of a common roadmap for recovery, developed jointly by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the members of the European Council discussed common measures to overcome the current crisis.

Discussions also focused on the Eurogroup report, which presented three immediate safety nets: a section intended for workers (the partial unemployment financing initiative SURE), a section intended for businesses (the European Investment Bank guarantee fund) and a section intended for States (European Stability Mechanism credit).

In this context, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel noted: "I welcome the adoption of these proposals which foresee a package of €540 billion to face the consequences of the crisis". He added: "While these first three elements are important to respond In the immediate economic shocks, there is also a broad consensus on the need for a fourth pillar, namely a stimulus fund. This crisis affects all our economies, all over Europe, and its effects could be prolonged over a long period. Do not disappoint our citizens, our businesses or the markets - let's start now to prepare a credible and ambitious plan and invest in our future! I therefore welcome the decision of the European Council to mandate the European Commission to outline a new proposal for a more ambitious multiannual financial framework which should have a considerably higher volume in order to integrate a stimulus fund into the budget for the European Union".

Another point of discussion was the single market and EU industrial policy. In this context, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel called for a strong and integrated single market and reiterated that the restrictive measures introduced in certain parts of the EU risk having an irreparable impact on the functioning of the EU, the single market and the Schengen area. He stated: “Almost all European countries have introduced social distancing measures for their citizens, but I am disappointed to see that COVID-19 also seems to lead to a process of national distancing between Member States. It is the single market which, with so many other European achievements, risks paying the price for the current crisis. The same goes for the Schengen area. A complete restoration of the free movement of goods, people and services must be part of any exit strategy".

Finally, the members of the European Council took stock of the international situation related to COVID-19, particularly in Africa where the health, economic and social impact is expected to be particularly severe. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel commented: “Luxembourg welcomes the desire to pay particular attention to the African continent in the overall EU response to the pandemic. We intend to contribute fully to it. This exceptional global crisis requires exceptional solidarity and our African partners must be able to count on the support of Europe".