EESC stands by European Commission in fight for Europe's recovery from COVID-19
EESC info February 2021
The EESC presidency, with its focus on building an economically, socially and environmentally stronger EU, backs the Commission's efforts to get Europe back on its feet after the COVID-19 crisis.
This is the message that EESC President Christa Schweng delivered to European Commission Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight Maroš Šefčovič , who was attending the Committee's January plenary session.
Ms Schweng offered the Commission the EESC's full support, reiterating the commitment made in July 2020 with the adoption of the EESC's contribution to the European Commission's 2021 work programme: "The Committee wishes to make a powerful contribution to Europe's recovery and future resilience to ensure a Europe that is economically prosperous, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable", said Ms Schweng. "Our incumbent challenge ahead is to effectively tackle the economic and social hardship caused by COVID‑19."
For his part, Mr Šefčovič said that the Commission's 2021 work programme was designed to help the EU move beyond the fragility caused by the crisis and generate new momentum through future-proof solutions: "Our Union has showed a great deal of solidarity and unity. We do not just bounce back, but also forward and, after all the challenges of 2020, now is the time to kick our recovery from the COVID-19 crisis into gear and set out the future we want for our Union."
Commenting on the ongoing measures against the pandemic, he stressed that the Commission's efforts and work towards an EU Health Union had enabled the EU to take a coordinated approach on vaccination and secure the broadest portfolio of vaccines in the world, amounting to 2.3 billion doses. (mp)